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HISTORY 



-OIP- 



FAYETTE COUNTY 



f M IDl A M A 



Containing a History of ttie County; its Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, 

Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 

Prominent Men ; Biographies ; Etc., Etc. 



ILLUSTRAO^RD 



CHICAGO : 
WAKNEE, BEERS & CO., 

1885. 



r 



^ • 



, f?^ y^^ 






PEEFACE. 




^HE evening of the last year of four-score since the Carolina colony explored the Whitewater country 
and graced its beautiful hills and valleys with their cabins is now closing. More than three-quar- 
ters of a century have come and gone since the Indian trader, Conner, established his trading-post 
^p-3 on the banks of the Whitewater, amid the red men of the forest, and the hunter, Simpson, close by 
reared his cabin near the stream which his name still honors. The hardy men who first settled the lands of 
Fayette County have nearly all been called from the stage of action and gone to their final rest. They 
pitched their tents and raised the log-cabin where " nothing appeared but nature unsubdued." " Bold for- 
est settlers," they encountered the dangers and endured the privations of pioneer life, and with rifles by 
their sides, cut away the forests, drove back the wild beasts, and made the wilderness " blossom as the 
rose," giving to those coming after them fruitful fields. " Gratitude to the pioneer is alike honorable to 
those who give it and to those who receive it. The people generally appreciate his sacrifices, recount his 
deeds and honor his services. This gives to history its fairest page, and to simple virtue and patriotism the 
honest commendation they merit." 

It is the purpose of this volume to present to the present generation, as well as to succeeding genera- 
tions, many of the names of such as were identified with the early and more recent history of the county, 
including pioneer, civil, ecclesiastical, educational, commercial, agricultural, statistical and biographical 
matter. The volume is herewith presented to our patrons in a form which it is believed will prove satis- 
factory to all, being in strict accordance with the announcements made in the prospectus issued nearly a 
year ago. 

The outline history of the county, city and township histories were prepared by F. E. Weakley, of 
Lebanon, Ohio, who has spared no pains in extended research and investigation into all matters pertaining to 
the early explorations and settlement of the Whitewater Valley, and the subsequent development and growth 
of that portion of it under consideration. The libraries, both State and city, at Indianapolis, and that of 
the neighboring city of Richmond were visited, and all volumes throwing any light on every important field 
consulted. The archives of the county which originally comprised the greater part of Fayette, have been 
examined; private correspondence has been held with men acquainted with the history of the county; news- 
paper files, court records and Justices' dockets have been examined; local laws, books, pamphlets, agricult- 
ural reports, church records, etc., etc., have been consulted; manuscripts and obituary notices read, grave- 
yards visited, and the oldest and most reliable citizens have been called upon. In its preparation great care 
has been taken to arrive at accuracy, but undoubtedly errors will be found, owing to almost numberless 
causes, among which are inaccurate and ambiguous records and manuscripts, meager public documents and 
numerous conflicting traditions. While free to admit that some unavoidable errors may be found, on the 
other hand it is claimed that the work is up to the standard of our promises, and more accurate and compre- 
hensive than could be anticipated in the beginning. With what fidelity to facts and patience of research the 
task has been performed is left to the judgment of those in whose keeping the traditions of the past remain. 
Sources from which much of the data came have been indicated throughout the work. The sketches in the 
biographical department were prepared by a corps of men well fitted for the work, who visited, in person, the 
various families, and faithfully aimed at correctness. This part will be found an important feature of the 
work, for in the personal and family histories given in these sketches are traced the descent of families and 
recorded individual achievements, which in succeeding years will be found to possess interest and value. 

To the county and city officers, editors of the newspapers, officers of the various societies and churches, 
and many intelligent citizens of Fayette County, the publishers are indebted for favors and generous assist- 
ance in the preparation of the work, which they hope will meet the approval of an intelligent people. Special 



PREFACE. 



thanks are due the county officials for their unreserved kindness in giving access to the records under their 
charge. Much assistance has been derived from the files of the Connersville Times and Connersville Exam- 
iner, and their editors are entitled to a grateful recognition for frequent access to their tiles. Acknowledg- 
ments are due to Hon. Samuel Little, of Pawnee City, Neb.; Hon. Elijah Hackleman, of Wabash, lad.; Hon. 
Ryland T. Brown, M. D., of Indianapolis; William Green, Esq., of Brookville; Josiah Mullikin, Esq., 
Charles Williams, Thomas 'Burton, John Savage and S. N. Hamilton, M. D., of Connersville; Nathaniel 
Hamilton, A. B. Claypool, Thomas Hinkson, and Calvin Burton and wife, of Connersville Township; Joseph 
Caldwell and C. A. Meeker, of Harrison Township; Maj. Thomas Simpson and wife and Jacob Troxell, of 
Waterloo Township; John Newland, of Jennings Township; Azariah T. Beckett, Enos Williams and James 
Smith, of Jackson Township; John A. White and wife, of Columbia Township; Hon. W. W. Thrasher and 
Josiah Piper, of Fairview Township; John P. Daniels and wife, of Orange Township; Linville Ferguson, 
Esq., of Milton, Ind. ; George Van Buskirk, of Posey Township, with whom Mr. Weakley as compiler of the 
general history was more particularly associated. 

THE PUBLISHERS. 




CONTENTS. 



HISTORY. 



PAGE. 

CHAPTER T.— Outline History of Indiana — The French in In- 
diana—George Rogers Clark's Conquest of the British Posts — The 
Northwest Territory — Indiana Territory — Condition of the Terri- 
tory at its Organization— The First Governor — Tecumseh and the 
Prophet — Apprehension of Indian Hostilities — The Battle of Tip- 
pecanoe — The Slavery Question in the Territory — The War of 1812 — 
Indiana Admitted Into the Union — Progress of the New State 13-24 

CHAPTER II.— The Indians of Indiana and Early Expedi- 
tions Against Them — Names of the Tribes in Indiana — The Miami 
Confederacy — Little Turtle Quoted — Indian Villages — Indian Agri- 
culture — Moral and Intellectual equalities — .-Vntoine Gamelin's 
Mission — The Indians Demand the Ohio for Their Boundary — Col. 
Lochry's Disastrous Defeat — Treaty of Fort Finney — George Rogers 
Clark's Expedition Against the Wabash Indians— Gen. Charles 
Scott's Expedition — Col. .lames Wilkinson's Expedition — Gen. 
Josiah Harmar's Expedition — St. Clair's Defeat — Wayne's Vic- 
tory 25-33 

CHAPTER III.— Pioneer History— The Dawn of Civilization Upon, 
and First Settlement of the Whitewater Valley — Position of the 
Lands of the County— John and William Conner and Other Early 
Settlers— Pioneer Life— Friendly and Hostile Indians 34-46 

CHAPTER IV. — Early Religious and Educational Movements— 
Old School Baptists — Methodism — Presbyteriauism^The Christian 
Church— Schools 47-53 

CHAPTER v.— Physical Features — Geography — Topography — 
Geology 63-56 

CHAPTER VI. — Civil Organization of the County— Boundaries — 
Location of the County Seat— County Buildings 57-60 

CHAPTER VII.— The Courts and Civil List— Circuit Court— The 
Bradburn Trial- Probate Court— Court of Common Pleas— Associate 
Judges — Probate Judges — Sheriffs — Clerks of the Courts — Recorders 
— Auditors — Treasurers — Justices of the Peace — County Govern- 
ment and Early Proceedings— County Commissioners 63-73 

CHAPTER VIIL— Internal Improvements- Roads— Mail and Stage 
Routes —Whitewater Valley Canal — Hydraulic Company— Turn- 
pikes and Bridges— Railroads 73-76 

CHAPTER IX.— Agriculture— Implements— Cattle— Horses— Hogs- 
Sheep — Agricultural Societies and Fairs 77-85 

CHAPTER X.— Political— Results of Elections, Political Extracts 
and Notes— Members of Congress— Members of the General Assem- 
bly 85-90 

CHAPTER XL— The Press— First Effort— The " Fayette Observer " 
—Abraham Van Vleet— The " Political Clarion" and its Successor, 
The " Indiana Sentinel "—The " Watchman "—The " Indiana Tele- 
graph "—Daniel Rench— William Stewart— The " Christian Casket " 
—The " Ladies' Temperance Wreath"- The " Connersville Times " 
—The " Connersville Examiner "—The " Connersville News" 90-95 

CHAPTER XII.— Miscellaneous— Post Offices— Status of the County 
in 1830 and 1840— Statistics— Population of the County by Town- 
ships 95-98 

CHAPTER XIII.- The Bench and the Bar— Circuits and Judges- 
Early Prosecuting Attorneys— First and Later Lawyers at the Fay- 
ette Courts — Reference to the Lawyers and Practice of Early Indi- 
ana-Resident Lawyers 98-104 



CHAPTER XIV.— The Medical Profession The First Physicians 

—District Medical Societies— Early Charges for Medical Services- 
Later Physicians— Fayette County Medical Society and the Profes- 
sion 104-108 

CHAPTER XV.— Distinguished Dead— Oliver H. Smith— Jonathan 
Mccarty — Caleb B. Smith — Samuel W. Parker— James C. Mc- 
intosh 109-124 

CHAPTER XVI.— The Civil War, 1861-66— Public Sentiment and 
Action in the Beginning — County Expenditures— Departure of the 
Fayette County Union Guards- Drafts, Bounties, Etc.— History of 
the Organizations and Regiments— Ladies' Aid Society, Donations, 
Etc.— Closing Scenes 125-135 

CHAPTER XVII.— The City op Connersville— Location and Origin 
—The Early Village— Independence Day, 1831— The Status of Con- 
nersville in 1833— The Succeeding Decade— Reminiscences— The 
Town in 1858-59— Streets— The City Hall— The Methodist Episcopal 
Church Building (formerly Opera House)— The Andre Opera 
House— Grave-yards and Cemetery— Connersville a City— Growth 
and Progress— Water Works— Fire Department— Banks— Indus- 
tries— Schools— Churches— Societies 135-164 

CHAPTER XVIII.— Connersville Township- Organization and 
Boundaries— Land Sales— Early Settlement and Incidents— Early 
Schools, Early Mills, Distilleries, Etc.— Churches and Grave-yards— 
East Connersville— Maplewood— Half-Century Citizens 164-172 

CHAPTER XIX.— Harrison Township— Boundaries, Organization 
and Description— Land Entries— Pioneers and Pioneer Settlement 
—Independence Day, 1829— Industries— Schools— Churches— Half- 
Century Citizens 173-183 

CHAPTER XX.— Jennings To^vnship- Boundaries and Organization 
Land Entries— Early Setllement and Pioneer Biography— Alquina 
—Early Schools— Churches and Grave-yards— Mills and Distilleries 
Half-Century Citizens 183-190 

CHAPTER XXL— Columbia Township— Boundaries and Organiza- 
tion—Land Entries— Pioneer Settlement and Biography— Mills and 
Distilleries— Schools— Churches and Grave-yards— Hamlets— Half- 
Century Citizens 190-199 

CHAPTER XXII.— Jackson Township— Boundaries and Organiza- 
tion—Land Entries— Early Settlement— Industries— Early Schools 
—The Old Rock at Poplar Ridge — Churches and Grave-yards— Ever- 
ton— Half-Century Citizens 199-210 

CHAPTER XXIIL— Waterloo Township— Organization, Boundaries 
and Description— Original Land Purchasers— Pioneers— Schools- 
Waterloo Village — Churches— Springerville- Half-Century Citi- 
2:ens 210-217 

CHAPTER XXIV.— Orange Township— Organization and Bounda- 
ries—Land Sales— Pioneers— Schools— Mills, Distilleries, Etc.— 
Churches and Burying-Grounds—Fayetteyille— Half-Century Citi- 
zens 217-221 

CHAPTER XXV.— Posey Township— Boundaries and Organization 
—Land Entries— Pioneers and Pioneer Notes— Schools, Churches 
and Grave-yards — Half-Century Citizens 222-226 

CHAPTER XXVI.— Fairvikw Township— Organization and Bounda- 
ries—Land Entries— Early Settlement— Schools— Churches and 
Grave-yards— Villages— Half-Century Citizens 226-230 



CONTENTS. 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



ConneraTille City, Alphabetically Arranged.. 



PAGE. 
.... 231 



Fayette County, Alphabetically Arranged.. 



PAOB. 
255 



PORTRAITS. 



Andre, D. W 151 

Baker, John ■ 71 

Beckett, A. T Ill 

Bundrant, C. H 191 

Caldwell, Joseph 31 

Creelman, George 131 

Ellis, Lewis 161 

Freeman, William 181 

Gamble, J. S '. 141 

Hacktemau, Hawkins 91 

Hamilton, Nathaniel 21 



llussey, Jonathan... 
Kemmer, Samuel J.. 
McConnell, Ellis D... 

Moffitt, Andrew , 

Nash, Richard 

Piper, Josiah 

Rea, James C 

Shipley, S.J 

Thomas, Benj 

Thrasher, W.W 



, 201 
, 229 
171 
, 211 
. 121 
. 61 
. 41 
, 81 
. 51 
, 101 



View Fayette County Court House.. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

Frontispiece ) • Map Fayette County.. 




CHrcAGo: 
John Morri8 Company, Printerb. 

1S8B. 



^AP Of 



CmWTT 







HISTORY OF 



Fayette County, Indiana 



CHAPTER I. 



OUTLINE HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



THE FRENCH IN INDIANA— GEORGE ROGERS CLARK'S CONQUEST OF THE BRITISH POSTS— THE NORTHWEST TER- 
RITORY-INDIANA TERRITORY— CONDITION OF THE TERRITORY AT ITS ORGANIZATION— THE FIRST GOVERNOR 
— TECUMSEH AND THE PROI'IIET— APPREHENSIONS OF INDIAN HOSTILITIES— THE BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE— 
THE SLAVERY QUESTION IN THE TERRITORY— THE WAR OF 1812— INDIANA ADMITTED INTO THE UNION- 
PROGRESS OF THE NEW STATE. 



INDIANA, as a civil division bearing the name, 
dates its existence from July 4, 1800, when the 
act of Congress creating Indiana Territory went into 
effect. It then included Michigan, Illinois and Wis- 
consin. The United States census of 1800 found in 
Indiana 5,641 inhabitants. In 1805 Michigan Terri- 
tory was struck off, and in 1809, Illinois; from the 
latter year Indiana dates its present limits. On 
December 11, 1816 the Territory was admitted into 
the Union as a State. From its first exploration by 
white men Indiana constituted a part of New France 
until 1763, when it was ceded by the French to the 
English. In the treaty of 1783 Indiana was included 
in the territory yielded by Great Britain to the 
United States. While it belonged to the English it 
was a part of the Colony of Virginia, and was ceded 
to the United States bj' Virginia in 1784, from which 
time until the formation of Indiana Territory it 
formed a part of the Northwest Territory. 

Virginia acquired title to the great territory 
northwest of the Ohio by its several charters from 
James I, and especially from the one bearing date of 
May 23, 1609 in which was granted all the territory 
along the coast for four hundred miles and extend- 
ing "up into the land throughout from sea to sea.'' 
Virginia first attempted to exercise authority over 
this extensive domain in 1769, when the House of 



Burgesses passed an act establishing the connty of 
Botetourt, with the Mississippi Kiver as its western 
boundary. Fincastle, Va., was the seat of jus- 
tice of this extensive county. In October, 1788, a 
Virginia statute provided that "all the citizens of the 
Commonwealth of Virginia who are already settled or 
shall hereafter settle on the western side of the Ohio, 
shall be included in a distinct county, which shall be 
called Illinois County." Col. John Todd served 
under appointment of the Governor of Virginia as 
Civil Commandant and Lieutenant of Illinois, until 
his death at the battle of Blue Licks in 1782. 

THE FRENCH IN INDIANA. 

The first explorations and settlements of the 
whites were by the French, and were the results of the 
enterprise of LaSalle, who set out from Canada in 
1679, and passing across the lakes descended the Illi- 
nois River. The Indians inhabiting the country at 
that time seem to have made little or no opposition 
to its occupancy by the neW-comers, and several 
important French towns were established on the Illi- 
nois and Wabash before the eighteenth century was 
far advanced. The missions and settlements of the 
French were of necessity established along the routes 
of travel from Canada to the mouth of the Missis- 
sippi. The only mode of travel was by canoes. 



14 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



Among the portages over which the French carried 
their canoes from one navigable river to another, one 
was of three miles' length in St. Joseph County^ 
Ind., from the St. Joseph River to the Kankakee; 
another was from the Maumee near Ft. Wayne to the 
Wabash. 

The exact period of the first French settlements 
cannot be ascertained. Early in the eighteenth cen- 
tury a party of French Canadians descended the 
Wabash, and several settlements were soon established 
along its banks; among others Vincennes. Many 
dates have been given of the establishment of Vin- 
cennes, some of which are mere conjectures. Volney 
conjectured the settlement to have been made about 
1735; Bishop Brute speaks of a missionary station 
there in 1700; Bancroft says a military post was 
formed there in 1716, and in 1742 a settlement of 
herdsmen was made; Judge Law dates the post back 
to 1710 or 1711, and the New American Cyclopedia 
says the party of French Canadians descended the 
Wabash in 1702 and established towns along the 
river. At one time the French settlements were rep- 
resented as in a flourishing condition and this par^ 
of New France was described as a new paradise, but 
the settlers degenerated, became ignorant and sloth- 
ful, and but little superior to the Indians among 
whom they lived. 

GEN. Clark's conquest of the bbitish posts. 
During the Revolution most of the Western In- 
dians adhered to the British. The possession by the 
British of the posts established by the French at 
Detroit, Kaskaskia and Vincennes gave them easy and 
constant access to the Indian tribes of the Northwest. 
The bold plan of defeating and expelling the British 
from their Western posts was conceived and brilliant- 
ly executed by a Kentucky backwoodsman, George 
Rogers Clark. By spies sent for the purpose, who 
were absent from April 20 to June 22, 1777, Clark 
satisfied himself that an enterprise against the West, 
ern settlements might easily be successful. He went 
to Virginia and submitted his plans to the Govern- 
ment of that State. Gov. Patrick Henry gave him 
written instructions, authorizing him to enlist seven 
companies to serve under his orders for three months- 
Clark's rank at this time was Lieutenant-Colonel. He 
raised three companies at Pittsburgh, and descended 
the Ohio to the falls, where he was joined by another 
company of Kentucky recruits. He loft the falls 
with four companies on the 21th of June, 1778, dur- 
ing a total eclipse of the sun. He descended the 
river to Fort Massac, and thence proceeded by land 
to Kaskaskia, a distance of over 100 miles. Heavy 
rains had fallen, and were succeeded by hot, sultry 
weather. Their route lay through a wilderness with- 



out a path. On the prairies a July sun beat upon 
them. Their guide became bewildered. On the 4th 
of July this party of invaders, with torn and soiled 
garments and beards of three weeks' growth, came in 
sight of Kaskaskia. The town contained about 250 
houses, and the inhabitants were mostly French. 
Clark sent forward some 'of his men who could speak 
French to pass through the streets, making proclama- 
tion that all the inhabitants must keep within their 
houses, under penalty of being shot down in the 
streets. The next day the little army of invaders 
marched into the town in two divisions, and in two 
hours all the inhabitants surrendered and gave up 
their arms. Not a drop of blood was shed, but the 
victory was complete. A few days later Clark sent a 
detachment mounted on French ponies to Cahokia, 
thirty miles distant, and obtained a surrender of the 
fort and garrison at that point. An embassy was 
sent to Vincennes, and in a few days the American 
flag was floating from the fort and the French inhab- 
itants brought over to the United States. 

Clark was compelled to leave only a diminutive 
force to hold possession of Vincennes, and the British 
Lieutenant-Governor, Henry Hamilton, then at De- 
troit, formed the plan of retaking the place, in which 
he succeeded without difficulty. The latter had a 
considerable force of British regulars, French volun- 
teers and Indians. Clark with his main force was at 
Kaskaskia, and his position was one of great peril. His 
number of men was too small to stand a siege and 
his situation too remote to call for recruits. He 
formed the bold and hazardous scheme of capturing 
Governor Hamilton and retaking Vincennes. 

On the 7th of February, 1779, Col. Clark with 
his little army commenced its march from Kaskaskia 
to Vincennes. Their route lay through prairies and 
points of timber. The winter was unusually wet and 
the streams all high. On the 13th of February they 
arrived at the Little Wabash and Muddy Rivers. 
The raius fell every day, and here the men were com- 
pelled to wade to their waists and sometimes to their 
armpits in mud and water. On the 18th, eleven days 
after their departure, they heard the morning gun of 
the fort at Vincennes. On the evening of the same 
day they were at the Wabash, below the mouth of the 
Embarrass. The party was now in an exhausted con- 
dition; the river was out of its banks and all the low 
grounds covered with water. Again making their 
way through deep waters they arrived in full view of 
the town a little before sunset on the 21st. In order 
to make his force appear formidable Clark ordered 
his men to march and countermarch i n such a manner 
that from the intervening ground the enemy were led 
to count them twice or thrice. Ten or twelve pairs of 
colors were so displayed on long poles as to be seen 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



15 



above the intervening high land and from a distance 
made no despicable ajspearance. Gov. Hamilton was 
awed into a surrender, which was formally made on 
the 24th. 

The expedition of Col. Clark was not excelled in 
difficTilty, daring and heroic endurance by any during 
the Revolution. The march from Kaskaskia to Vin- 
cennes was one of extraordinary hardship and enter- 
prise. The whole expedition resulted in the success- 
ful reduction of all (he British military posts between 
the Ohio and Mississippi, gave tranquility to the fron- 
tier settlements and secured to the United States the 
whole of this vast territory. The Virginia Legisla- 
ture passed a complimentary resolution to Clark and 
his men for their victorious campaign "whereby great 
advantages may accrue to the common cause of Amer- 
ica, as well as to this Commonwealth in particular." 

THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

After Virginia and other States had coded to the 
United States their claims of jurisdiction and soil to 
the territory lying northwest of the Ohio, it became 
necessary for Congi^ss to establish civil government 
in the new extensive region. Accordingly in the 
summer of 1787, while the convention which framed 
the Constitution was in session at Philadelphia, 
Congress at New York passed an "Ordinance for the 
government of the territory of the United States 
northwest of the River Ohio," which has come to be 
beat known as "The Ordinance of '87." This was 
the most important act of Congress under the Arti- 
cles of Confederation. For nearly twenty-nine years 
it was the fundamental law of Indiana. S. P. Chase 
in his history of Ohio said of it: " Never, probably, 
in the history of the world, did a measiu'e of legisla- 
tion 80 accurately fulfill, and yet so mightily exceed 
the anticipations of the legislators." Its object was 
declared to be to " extend the fundamental principles 
of civil and religious liberty which form the basis 
whereon these republics, their laws and constitutions 
are erected; to fix and establish those principles as 
the basis of all laws, constitutions and governments, 
which forever hereafter shall be formed in the said 
territory; to provide also for the establishment of 
States and permanent government therein, and for 
their admission to a share in the federal councils on 
an equal footing with the original States at as early 
periods as may be consistent with the general inter- 
est." 

The territory for which this ordinance provided 
a government embraced all the land then belonging 
to the United States northwest of the Ohio. It ex- 
tended from Pennsylvania to the Mississippi, and 
from the Ohio to the Great Lakes. Five States have 
been organized from it: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 



Michigan and Wisconsin. The Territorial Govern- 
ment was organized soon after the passage of the 
ordinance and at first was vested solely in a Governor 
and Judges. The first Governor was Gen. Arthur St. 
Clair who was President of Congress when appointed. 
In 1788 he entered upon his duties at Marietta. 
During the continuance of the first grade of govern- 
ment, there was no capital of the territory in the 
proper sense of the term. Laws were passed by the 
Governor and Judges wherever they happened to be 
assembled. Some were enacted at Marietta, some at 
Cincinnati and a few at Vincennes. 

About the Ist of January, 1790, the Governor, 
with other officers, descended the Ohio from Marietta 
to Fort Washington, at Cincinnati, where he organ- 
ized Hamilton County, which embraced the western 
part of the State of Ohio. On the 8th of January the 
Governor and Secretary arrived at Clarksville, at the 
falls of the Ohio, on their way to Vincennes. From 
the falls they proceeded by land along an Indian 
trail to Vincennes, where they organized the county 
of Knox, the fourth county organized in the North- 
west Territory. It comprised all the territory along 
the Ohio between the Great Miami and the Wabash. 
V^incennes was made the seat of justice. Thence they 
proceeded to Kaskaskia, and there established the 
County of St. Clair, comprising all the territory from 
the Wabash to the Mississippi, and named by the 
Secretary, Winthrop Sargent, in honor of the Gov- 
ernor. Knox and St. Clair Counties were organized 
for the protection of the French inhabitants, and to 
carry into effect the agreement in the ordinance of 
1787 with reference to the preservation of their rights 
under the laws and customs alreading existing among 
them. At Kaskaskia the Governor issued a proclama- 
tion, calling upon the French inhabitants to exhibit 
the titles to their lands, in order to have them exam- 
ined and confirmed and their lands surveyed. 



INDIANA TERRITORY FORMED. 



The great extent of the Territory made the ordi- 
nary operations of government extremely uncertain, 
and the efficient action of courts almost impossible 
in the western parts of the Territory. In the three 
western places of holding courts, Vincennes, Cahokia 
and Kaskaskia, there had been held but one court 
having criminal jurisdiction in the five years from 
1795 to 1800. Offenders against justice having no 
fear of punishment, the French settlements became 
an asylum for the most vile and abandoned crimi- 
nals. A committee of Congress on March 3, 1800, 
recommended a division of the Territory into two 
distinct and separate governments. Accordingly, on 
May 7, 1800, an act was passed by Congress making 
such division, by an act which took effect from and 



16 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



after the succeeding 4th day of July. The western 
division was called Indiana Territory. 

The Hrst boundary of Indiana Territory on the 
east was not the same as the eastern boundary of the 
State. The ordinance of 1787 provided that the mid- 
dle State which should be formed out of the North- 
west Territory, should be bounded on the east by a 
line drawn due north from the mouth of the Great 
Miami River, and the committee of Congress which 
proposed the division of the Territory recommended 
that the division should be made by this line. The 
act of Congress, however, made the Greenville treaty 
line as far as Fort Recovery, the boundary line. The 
line of division was described as " beginning at the 
Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the Kentucky River, 
and running thence to Fort Recovery, and thence 
north until it shall intersect the Territorial line be- 
tween the United States and Canada." The Green- 
ville treaty line is found marked on some of the 
maps of Indiana. Fort Recovery was in Darke Coun- 
ty, Ohio, about one mile east of the State line. 
When Ohio was made a State the line drawn due 
north from the mouth of the Great Miami was made 
its western boundary, and the lands between this line 
and the Greenville treaty line were attached to Indi- 
ana Territory. 

CONDITION or THE TERRITORY AT ITS ORGANIZATION. 

At the time of its organization Indiana Territory 
comprised a vast region almost uninhabited except by 
savages. The only settlements of white men were so 
widely separated that it was impossible for them to 
contribute to their mutual defense or encouragement. 
These settlements were four in number. The first 
was at Clark's grant, at the falls of the Ohio opposite 
Louisville; the second the old French establishment 
at Vincennes, on the Wabash; the third comprised a 
series of French villages, extending from Kaskaskia, 
seventy-five miles below the site of St. Louis, to 
Cahokia, five miles below St. Louis; the fourth was 
Detroit on the Detroit River. The capital was at 
Vincennes, at this time often written Post Vincents. 
Numerous tribes of war-like Indians were scattered 
throughout the northern portion of the Territory, 
whose hostility to the American settlers was inflamed 
by the intrigues of British agents and fi-equent out- 
rages by American hunters and traders. 

Clark's grant in Indiana was a reservation by Vir- 
ginia in her cession of the Northwest Territory to 
satisfy the claims of Gen. Clark and the ofiicers and 
soldiers under his command in the conquest of the 
British posts of Kaskaskia and Vincennes. The quan- 
tity of land in the grant was stipulated not to exceed 
150,000 acres to be laid off in one tract, the length 
of which was not to exceed double the breadth, and 



in such place on the northwest side of the Ohio, as 
a majority of the officers should choose. The tract 
was selected and located about the falls of the Ohio, 
and distributed among the claimants according to the 
laws of Virginia. An act of the Legislature of that 
State was passed " to establish the town of Clarkes- 
ville, at the falls of the Ohio, in the county of Illi- 
nois," by which a Board of Trustees in whom the title 
of the town was vested in trust. They were directed 
to sell lots of half an acre each at public auction, 
subject to the condition that the purchaser should 
within three years from the day of sale erect a dwel- 
ling house " twenty feet by eighteen, with a brick or 
stone chimney." The Trustees located the tovsm im- 
mediately at the foot of the falls. Its position at the 
head of keel-boat navigation on the lower Ohio was 
supposed to give it great advantages, and it was for 
a time a rival of Louisville. Jeffersonville, at the head 
of the falls, occupied the site of Fort Steuben. Mid- 
way between these places and on the opposite side of 
the river was the then unhealthy town of Louisville, 
which in 1800 contained a population of 359 souls, 
and about 150 houses, a printing office and a postoflice. 

From the falls of the Ohio, settlements spread over 
Clark's grant. Vincennes, the capital of the Terri- 
tory, is described by contemporary writers at the 
period of the establishment of the Territorial Gov- 
ernment, as a handsome town of about 100 houses, 
some of which were built of freestone. From Cin- 
cinnati, settlements extended up the Whitewater Val- 
ley. On the first Monday in April, 1801, the first 
sale of lands west of the Great Miami was held at 
Cincinnati. In the closing years of the last century, 
before the establishment of a land ofiBce for the sale 
of any lands in Indiana, squatters had begun to 
occupy Government lands in the southwestern' part. 
Land offices, at which lands in Indiana were sold, 
were established by the United States as follows: At 
Cincinnati, May 10, 1800; at Vincennes, March 26, 
1804; at Jeffersonville, March 3, 1S07; at Indianap- 
olis and Crawfordsville, March 3, 1819; Fort Wayne, 
May 8, 1822. 

From Cincinnati, the most important town in the 
eastern division of the Northwest Territory, to Vin- 
cennes, the capital of Indiana Territory, was a laborious 
journey through a wilderness. A common method of 
making this journey was to embark on the Ohio in a 
Kentucky boat, sometimes called an ark, with horses 
and provisions, proceed as far as the falls, and thence 
by horseback to the Post, more than 100 miles un- 
marked by a vestige of civilization. 

THE FIRST GOVERNOR. 

The first Governor of Indiana Territory was Capt. 
William Henry Harrison, afterward Major-General 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



17 



and President. At the time of his appointment he 
was twenty-seven years old, yet he had already served 
under Wayne against the Indians as Lieutenant, and 
distinguished himself for bravery; had been the first 
delegate in Congress from the Northwest Territory, and 
had served as Secretary of the Territory. As the Sec- 
retary was ex officio Lieutenant-Governor, he had for 
a considerable time performed the duties of Governor 
of the Territory before its division, Gen. St. Clair, 
the Governor, being rarely in the Territory at that 
time, his residence being in Pennsylvania. When 
the office of Governor of the new Territory of Indiana 
was first proposed to young Harrison, he expressed 
himself as much adverse to accepting it, because he 
had reason to believe that Gov. St. Clair would soon 
be retired from the Government of the more populous 
Eastern Division (now Ohio), and that he would be 
strongly recommended as his successor. It happened, 
however, as Gen. Harrison himself has narrated, that 
two influential supporters of John Adams' administra- 
tion were desirous of that position, and by their man- 
agement he became the Governor of Indiana Territory. 
The Governors were appointed for three years. Har- 
rison was appointed by President Adams in 1800; 
upon the expiration of his term he was re-appointed 
in 1803 by President Jefferson; in 1806 he was again 
appointed by Jefferson; in 1809 he was re-appointed 
by Pi-esident Madison, and in 1812 again appointed 
by Madison. 

The Territorial Governors were ex officio Super- 
intendents of Indian affairs within their Territories. 
A few months after President Jefferson came into 
ofllice he nominated Gov. Harrison a Commissioner to 
make treaties with the Indians, and the nomination 
was confirmed by the Senate. The custom of the 
Government in treating with the Indians had been to 
appoint two or more persons to represent the Govern- 
ment as Commissioners. The reason given by the 
President for this departure from the usual course in 
the case of Indiana Territory was that Louisiana had 
been ceded to the French, and the French under- 
stood the management of the Indians better than any 
other nation; that to guard against their intrigues it 
was necessary to form settlements on the Mississippi, 
the lower Ohio, the Wabash and Illinois Rivers, which 
could only be done by extinguishing the Indian titles, 
and this could not be done at once, but by watching 
opportunities. The President, therefore, did not wish 
to embarrass the Governor with a colleague. Thus 
it was that Harrison was the sole representative of 
the United States in the negotiations with the Indians 
by which the Indian title to most of the lands of 
Indiana was extinguished. Gov. Harrrison held this 
important commission during the entire period of his 
government of the Territory. He negotiated thirteen 



treaties, and obtained the cession of over 50,000,000 
of acres in the Northwest, more than double the land 
now included in Indiana. 

While acting as Commissioner, Harrison was 
allowed, in addition to his pay as Governor, $6 per 
day and his expenses, and he could assume the char- 
acter of Indian Commissioner whenever he thought 
proper. He was indeed necessarily almost constantly 
acting under it. The charges he made for pay as 
Commissioner, however, were only for the time actu- 
ally employed in specific negotiation. All the com- 
pensation he received for these services during the 
twelve years he held the commission did not exceed 
$3,000. His charge for one important treaty was 
$44. It is said that no man over disbursed so many 
and such large sums of public treasure with so little 
difficulty in adjusting his accounts with the Govern- 
ment as Harrison while Governor, United States Com- 
missioner and Superintendent of Indian affairs in 
Indiana Territory. He wisely avoided keeping the 
public money on hand, and always made his payments 
by drafts on Washington. 

Some of the more important of the early treaties 
by which the ownership of Indiana lands was trans- 
ferred to the United States Government are here 
mentioned. In the treaty at Greenville, August 3, 
1795, only a small portion of the lands in the south- 
eastern part of the State was included. On Sep- 
tember 17, 1802, Gov. Harrison entered into an 
agreement at Vincennes with the chiefs of various 
tribes by which the bounds of a tract at that place 
said to have been given to its founder were settled, 
and on June 7, 1803, at Fort Wayne, the same chiefs 
ceded the lands about Vincennes to the United Stales. 
Other treaties were concluded at Vincennes in August, 
1804: at Fort Wayne in September, 1809; at St. 
Mary's in October, 1818, and Tippecanoe in 1832. 

TECUMSEH AND THE PKOPHET. 

The troubles with the Indians commenced early 
in the history of the Territory. In July, 1801, the 
Governor referring to the lawless acts of vagabond 
whites, wrote to the United States Government: "All 
these injuries the Indians have hitherto borne with 
astonishing patience, but though they discover no 
disposition to make war upon the United States, I 
am confident that most of the tribes would eagerly 
seize any favorable opportunity for that purpose, and 
should the United States be at war with any Euro- 
pean nations who are known to the Indians, there 
would probably be a combination of nine-tenths of 
the northern tribes against us, unless some means are 
made use of to conciliate them." President Jefferson 
did everything in his power to protect the Indians 
and to induce them to cultivate the soil and adopt 



18 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



the arts of civilized life. Congress was powerless to 
prevent the atrocities committed by the worthless 
white men who are ever found prowling along the 
verge of civilization. The outrages were deplored by 
thousands of good men. 

Early in the history of the Territory Tocumsoh 
planned his scheme of a confederation of all the 
Indian nations, by which the whites were to be 
restrained in their acquisitions of lands. This 
remarkable man, the most bold and accomplished 
warrior and diplomatist the tribes of red men ever 
produced, was for much of his active life a resident 
of Indiana. He was born not far from the site of 
Springfield, Ohio, and belonged to the Shawnee 
nation, his father and his mother being members of 
different tribes of that extensive people. In 1795 he 
became a chief. He resided in different parts of the 
Miami country, in what is now Ohio, until 1798, 
when he accepted the invitation of the Delawares, 
then residing in part on White River, Ind., to 
remove to that region with his followers. Here he 
resided a number of years, and gradually extended 
his influence among the Indians. 

Tecumseh's brother, known in history as the 
Prophet, was scarcely less remarkable a man; he was 
an orator of great power and a religious teacher. 
About 1804, according to the accounts usually given, 
the brothers began to work in unison on their grand 
project of uniting all the Western Indians in one 
confederacy. Their avowed objects were two- fold: 
first, the reformation of the savages, whose habits 
unfitted them for continuous and heroic efforts; sec- 
ond, a union which would make the purchase of land 
by the United States impossible without the consent 
of all the tribes, and would give the Indians a 
strength that would be dreaded. In case of war 
with the whites a simultaneous attack could be made 
upon all the frontier settlements, so that white troops 
could not be sent from one to the aid of another. In 
1805, through the influence of the Prophet, a large 
number of Indians collected at Greenville. In 1806 
both Tecumseh and the Prophet were at Greenville, 
and were visited by representatives of many tribes. 

APPREHENSION OP INDIAN HOSTILITIES. 

In the spring of 1808 the brothers removed to a 
tract of land on the Tippecanoe, a tributary of the 
Wabash. Here on a spot probably never visited by 
white men, about 100 miles northwest from Fort 
Wayne, was the Prophet's town, containing only 
about 130 souls. Representative Indians from remote 
parts here visited the Prophet, who continued his 
efforts to reform his brethren by preaching temper- 
ance, depicting the fearful evils the fire-water of the 
white men had brought upon them, and announcing 



his commission from the Great Spirit to extricate his 
red children from the utter ruin with which they 
were menaced. 

Tecumseh traveled from tribe to tribe, strength- 
ening his influence and organizing his league. With 
the enthusiasm of Peter the Hermit, he journeyed 
over thousands of miles, visiting remote nations of 
red men. He visited all the northern tribes on the 
west bank of the Mississippi, and upon the Lakes 
Superior, Huron and Michigan. In 1807 Gov. Har- 
rison, alarmed at the movements of the two brothers, 
sent a message of inquiry and remonstrance, couched 
in severe terms. The Prophet sent a reply, denying 
that he had any purpose to rouse the tribes to another 
war. His plan of saving the Indians, he constantly 
asserted, was by reforming them froai intemperance, 
uniting them and encouraging industry. In July, 1808, 
the Prophet went from Tippecanoe to Vincennes, a 
distance of hundreds of miles, on a pacific message 
to the Governor. He came with a large number of 
followers, whom he frequently harangued in the 
presence of the Governor on the evils of war and 
intemperance. No persuasion of the whites could 
induce any of them to touch intoxicating liquors. 
The Prophet again declared that it was his desire to 
live in peace with the whites, and called the Great 
Spirit to witness the truth of his declaration. 
Whether the Prophet was a religious fanatic or a 
vile impostor, can never be settled. 

Throughout the year 1809 Tecumseh and the 
Prophet continued to strengthen themselves both 
openly and secretly. Notwithstanding the.se solemn 
and repeated declarations of peaceful intentions, the 
Governor suspected their ultimate designs, and was 
preparing to meet any emergency. In June, 1809, • 
Tecumseh with about forty followers again visited the 
Governor. The Governor wrote to the Government 
that suspicions of his guilty intentions were strength- 
ened rather than diminished by every interview dur- 
ing this visit of the chief. In September, 1809, the 
Governor met the chiefs of several tribes at Fort 
Wayne, and purchased of them more than 3,000,000 
acres of land on the Wabash. Tecumseh refused to sign 
the treaty, and threatened death to those who did. In 
the year following he visited the tribes as far south 
as Tennessee, exhorting them to lay aside sectiona 
jealousies in the hope of preserving their hunting 
grounds. 

THE BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE. 

The Governor stood firm and sent for a few sol- 
diers and organized the militia. In July, 1811, the 
citizens of Vincennes and its vicinity met while the 
Legislative Council was in session and memorialized 
the President on the subject, not so much for a mill- 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



19 



tary force from the Government as for permission to 
fight the Indians in their own way. The Indians 
began to prowl through the Wabash Valley. Harri- 
son was promised strong re-enforcements with orders, 
however, to be backward in employing them. On 
the Ist of August he advised the Secretary of War of 
his plans, which were to again warn the Indians to 
obey the treaty of Greenville, but at the same time 
to prepare to break up the Prophet's establishment, 
if necessary. Having received his re-enforcements, 
the Governor, as Commander, advanced from Vin- 
cennes up the Wabash. On the 5th of October he 
was at Terre Haute, where he built Fort Harrison. 
Here one of his sentinels was fired upon. On Octo- 
ber 31 he was at the mouth of the Vermilion River, 
where he built a block-house. He then advanced 
toward the Prophet's town, still, however, offering 
peace to the Indians. When within a few miles of 
the Prophet's town Harrison was met by the Indian 
embassadors, who expressed surprise at his advancing 
upon them and said that an answer to the Governor's 
demands upon the Indians had been despatched to 
him by a Pottawattomie who had left two days before 
to meet him, but had missed him by taking the road 
on the south side of the Wabash. Harrison informed 
them that he had no intention of attacking them 
until he found that they would not comply with his 
demands. It was agreed that the army should en- 
camp for the night and in the morning an interview 
with the Prophet and his chiefs should take place, 
and in the meantime no hostilities should be com- 
mitted. 

Before daybreak of the morning the treacherous 
savages crept upon the camp, burst upon the sleep- 
ing army like demons, and before the light of day 
was far advanced the battle of Tippecanoe was 
fought. Harrison had risen at a quarter after four 
o'clock, and the signal for calling the men would 
have been given in two minutes, when the attack 
commenced. Nineteen twentieths of the men had 
never been in an action. They behaved well, took 
their places without confusion, under an exceedingly 
severe fire, and fought with bravery. The camp fires 
affording the enemy the means of taking surer aim, 
were extinguished. With coolness and deliberate 
valor the white men stood their ground in darkness 
against the ferocity of the savages, until daylight, 
and then routed the red men in vigorous charges. 
The next day they burned the Prophet's town and 
returned victorious to Vincennes. 

The battle of Tippecanoe was fought on the 7th 
of November, 1811. The whites had in this action 
not more than 700 efficient men — non-commissioned 
officers and privates; the Indians were supposed to 
have had from 700 to 1,000 men. The loss of the 



whites was thirty-seven killed on the field, twenty-five 
mortally wounded and one hundred and twenty -six 
wounded; that of the Indians about forty killed on the 
field, the number of wounded not being known. 
Among the killed were two Kentucky officers, Col. 
Joseph H. Daviess and Col. Owen. The battle ground 
was a piece of dry oak land, skirted on the west by 
Burnet Creek, with marshy prairies covered with tall 
grass on the east and west. At the time of the battle 
Harrison held no raak in the army, but as Governor 
he was Commander of the ludiaaa Militia, and uader 
the authority of the War Department he took com- 
mand of the whole force. The victory made the 
Commander famous, and twice, in 1836 and in 1810, 
Indiana cast her electoral vote for " the hero of Tip- 
pecanoe." 

At the time of the battle Tecumseh was among 
the southern Indians. When on his return he learned 
that his brother had brought on the attack and had 
been defeated, he was exceedingly angry, and it is 
said reproached the Prophet in the bitterest terms. 
The defeat had destroyed the power of the brothers, 
and crushed the grand confederacy before it was 
completed. Six months after the battle the United 
States declared war with England. Tecumseh left 
ladiana for Fort Maiden, ia Upper Canada, joined 
the British standard, participated in S3yeral engage- 
ments against the Americans, and for his bravery and 
good conduct was made a Brigadier-Geueral. He 
was killed at the battle of the Thames, October 5, 
1813, in the forty-fourth year of his age. Harrison, with 
whom he had so often conferred, was. the commander 
of the enemy against whom he foaght in his last 
battle. 

THE SLiVERY QUESTION IN THE TERRITORY. 

Before the formation of the State constitution 
several efforts were made to introduce^Africau slavery 
in a modified form into the Territory of Indiana. 
Slavery had been introduced into the Illinois country 
by the French as early as 1720. The ordinance of 
1787 prohibiting slavery in the Northwest Territory 
was a subject of complaint by some, who, by memo- 
rials to Congress from time to time, made efforts to 
obtain a suspension of the restriction for a limited 
period. The first petition to Congress was from four 
persons in Kaskaskia in 1796, asking that slavery 
might be tolerated there. Before the division of the 
Northwest Territory and while the first Territorial 
Legislature was in session at Cincinnati in 1799, pe- 
titions were presented by Virginians, who owed lands 
northwest of the Ohio, asking that they might settle 
with their slaves on their own lauds. These peti- 
tions were promptly rejected, as the Legislature had 
no power to suspend an ordinance of Congress. 

Many of the early settlers of Indiana were from 



20 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Virginia, Kentucky and other slave States. A large 
proportion ot the population of the Territory, while 
not desiring to make Indiana a slave State, believed 
that a temporary employment of slave labor would 
greatly encourage immigration and promote the 
growth and improvement of the country. Early in 
1803 a Territorial Convention was held at Vincennes 
to deliberate on the interests of the Territory. Gov. 
Harrison was President of the convention. A memo- 
rial was sent to Congress, together with a letter of 
the President of the convention, declaring the as- 
sent of the people of Indiana Territory to a suspen- 
sion of the clause of the ordinance of 1787, forbid- 
ding slavery. John Randolph, from the committee of 
Congress to which this letter and memorial were 
referred, reported as follows, March 2, 1803: 

"That the rapid population of the State of Ohio 
sufficiently evinces, in the opinion of your committee, 
that the labor of slaves is not necessary to promote 
the growth and settlement of colonies in that region. 
That this labor, demonstrably the dearest of any, can 
only be employed to advantage in the cultivation of 
products more valuable than any known to that quar- 
ter of the United States; that the committee deem it 
highly dangerous and inexpedient to impair a provi- 
sion wisely calculated to promote the happiness and 
prosperity of the northwestern country and to give 
strength and security to that extensive frontier. In 
the salutary operation of this sagacious and benevo- 
lent restraint, it is believed that the people of Indi- 
ana will, at no very distant day, find ample remuner 
ation for a temporary privation of labor and of immi- 
gration. " 

This report was made at the close of the session 
and the subject was brought up again at the next ses- 
sion. The report, together with the letter of Gov. 
Harri.son and the memorial of the inhabitants of Indi- 
ana, was referred to a new committee, of which 
Csesar Rodney, of Delaware, was Chairman. This 
committee on February 17, 1804, made a report in 
favor ot the prayer of the memorial and offered the 
following resolution: 

"Resolved, That the sixth article of the Ordinance 
of 1787, which prohibited slavery within the said 
Territory, be suspended in a qualified manner for ten 
years, so as to permit the introduction of slaves born 
in the United States, from any of the individual States; 
provided that such individual State does not permit 
the importation of slaves from foreign countries. And 
provided, further, that the descendants of all such 
slaves shall, it males, be free at the age of twenty-five 
years, and if females, at the age of twenty-one years." 

This resolution failed to pass and the subject 
came up again in February, 1800, when another 
report was made in Congress in favor of the tempo- 



rary suspension of the prohibition of slavery on the 
ground that the people of Indiana universally desired 
such suspension. At the session of the Legislature of 
Indiana Territory in the winter of 1806-07, resolu- 
tions on the subject were adopted and presented to Con- 
gress. Another committee of Congress reported in 
favor of the suspension of the slavery clause of the or- 
dinance for ten years, but the measure was again 
lost. A committee of the United States Senate re- 
ported on November 13, 1807, that it was not expo- 
dient to grant the request of the Indiana Legislature. 
To avoid the restriction in the ordinance against 
slavery, the Territorial Legislature passed an act Sep- 
tember 17, 1807, entitled " An Act concerning the 
introduction of negroes and mulattoes into this Terri- 
tory." It legalized the introduction into the Territory 
of persons of color who were slaves in the States or 
Territories by requiring the owner or possessor to 
enter into indentures with his slave, the latter stipu- 
lating to serve as an indentured servant for a certain 
period, at the end of which he was to become free. 
A record of the indenture was required to be made in 
the Court of Common Pleas within thirty days after 
the introduction of the slave or slaves. Children 
under fifteen years of age were required to serve their 
former owner or possessor, if males, until the age of 
thirty-five years; if females, imtil the age of thirty- 
two years. Many slave-holders in Virginia, Ken- 
tucky, and other slave States, desiring to manumit 
their slaves, migrated to Indiana and availed them- 
selves of the privileges of this law. In Indiana slaves 
before the expiration of their term of servitude were 
termed under the law "indentured servants." This 
form of servitude was done away with in Indiana by 
judicial decisions and in Illinois by a clause in the 
State constitution. Had it not been for the firmness 
of Congress in resisting what seemed to be a popular 
demand, Indiana might have been a slave State. 
The demand that slave-holders who owned land in 
Indiana should he permitted to employ their slaves in 
clearing the forests from their own lands seemed just 
and reasonable to many persons who were not in 
favor of the extension of slavery. 



THE WAR OF 



1812. 



At the commencement of the war of 1812 Indi- 
ana Territory had a white population of about 30,000 
souls, chiefly in the southern portions of the Territory. 
All the settlements in Indiana as well as those in 
Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Illinois were much 
exposed to Indian depredations. The Government 
had hesitated to employ force against the Indians in 
Indiana lest all the tribes of the Northwest should be 
combined against the United States in case of a war 
with England, which was imminent. Although Gov. 





i^^n-uutJ ^^^c^^^io^kA^-^^^^^^ 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



23 



Harrison wrote a few months after the battle of Tip- 
pecanoe, " The frontiers never enjoyed more perfect 
security," yet as soon as hostilities between the 
United States and England commenced there were 
gloomy fears of the Indians all along the western 
frontiers, which rose to universal consternation when 
the intelligence was spread abroad that the whole of 
our army under Hull, with Detroit and Michigan, had 
been surrendered to the combined British forces, 
commanded by Brock and Tecumseh, leaving our 
entire outposts in the Northwest almost defenseless. 
Three points needed protection, fort Wayne and the 
Maumee, the Wabash, and the Illinois. The troops 
intended for Fort Wayne were to be put under Gen. 
Winchester, a Revolutionary officer residing in Ten- 
nessee, but little known to the frontier men; those for 
the Wabash were to be under Harrison, whom the bat- 
tle of Tippecanoe had given a military reputation in 
the West; those for the Illinois were to be under 
Edwards, Governor of Illinois Territory. Such were 
the intentions of the Government, but the action of 
the authorities of Kentucky frustrated them and for- 
tunately led to the elevation of the Governor of Indi- 
ana to the post of Commander-in-chief of all the 
forces of the West and Northwest. 

Gov. Harrison while at Cincinnati received from 
Gov. Scott a request to repair without delay to Frank- 
fort. Arriving at the capital of Kentucky, he found 
a large number of influential citizens of Kentucky 
assembled, some to witness the inauguration of Gov. 
Shelby and others by invitation of Gov. Scott, the 
retiring Governor. A grand council had been held 
upon the course to be adopted for the defense of the 
Northwestern frontier, and it had been determined 
to request Gov. Harrison to take command of the 
troops on the march and to appoint him aMajor-Gen- 
eral in the Kentucky Militia. He accepted the com- 
mission, took the oath required by the laws of Ken- 
tucky and in a few hours was on horseback to over- 
take the troops and assume command. Gen. Harri- 
son afterward said that he looked upon this as the 
most honorable appointment he had ever received. 
A great State, already distinguished for the talents of 
her sons, some of whom were Revolutionary officers, 
placed the Governor of another Territory in command 
of her troops for a difficult and dangerous expedition. 
On September 17, 1812, Harrison was appointed by 
the Government Commander of the Army of the West. 

After the surrender of Detroit and Fort Dearborn 
on the site of Chicago, Forts Wayne and Harrison, in 
Indiana, were the only military stations on the north- 
western frontier in the hands of the Americans. These 
were re-enforced. The defeat of Hull and the victories 
of the British and Indians in the Northwest awakened 
throughout Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky a determina- 



tion to wipe out the disgrace which had stained our 
arms, and to avert the desolation that threatened the 
frontier. In August several regiments which had 
been raised in Kentucky were directed to the aid of 
Indiana and Illinois. Vincennes was made the prin- 
cipal rendezvous, and Gen. Hopkins was appointed 
Commander of the troops on the Wabash. It was 
arranged that Gen. Hopkins, with between four and 
five thousand mounted riflemen, should move up the 
Wabash to Fort Harrison, cross over to the Illinois 
country, destroy all the Indian villages on the Wabash, 
march across the prairies to the head-waters of the 
Sangamon and Vermillion Rivers, and then form a 
junctionwith the Illinois rangers under Gov. Edwards, 
and sweep over the villages on the Illinois River. On 
September 29, Hopkins wrote to the Governor of 
Kentucky: "My present intention is to attack every 
Indian settlement on the Wabash, and to destroy their 
property, then fall back upon the Illinois; and I trust, 
in all the next month, to perform much service. Seri- 
ous opposition I hardly apprehend, although I intend 
to be prepared for it. " In accordance with this deter- 
mination, Hopkins set out from Fort Harrison with this 
raw militia-men on October 15, and marched some 
eighty or ninety miles in the Indian country without 
obtaining sight of the enemy, when he was compelled 
to return on account of the insubordination among 
his men and some of the officers. 

Deeply chagrined at the failure of his expedition, 
Gen. Hopkins did not return to Kentucky, but 
remained at Fort Harrison to await the raising of 
another and better disciplined army. On the 11th of 
November he set out from Fort Harrison with about 
1,200 men on an expedition against the Indians of 
the upper Wabash. Lieut-Col. Butler, with seven 
boats loaded with supplies and provisions, at the same 
time ascended the river. On the 19th the army 
arrived at the Prophet's town, and 300 men were sent 
to surprise the Indian towns on Ponce Passu Creek, 
but the villages were fouud evacuated. On the 20th 
a Kickapoo town containing 120 cabins was burned, 
and all the winter provisions of corn in the vicinity 
destroyed. The cold weather of winter was rapidly 
coming on, many of the men were, as the General said, 
"shoeless and shirtless," and as the ice in the river 
began to obstruct the passage, it was deemed prudent 
to return. The conduct of this detachment contrasts 
favorably with Hopkins' first army. 

The military system under which the wai" of 1812 
was carried on would by no means have answered the 
purposes of the Government in the greater war of the 
Rebellion. The terms of service for which the men 
were called out were generally short, not exceeding 
six months. In many cases the raw militia-men had 
scarcely learned to drill as soldiers when their term 



24 



HISTOKY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



of service expired, and they were succeeded by fresh, 
untrained recruits. The West, aud especially the 
region of the Maumee and Lake Erie, was the prin- 
cipal theater of the war. In many parts of the United 
States there was much opposition to the war, but th^ 
pioneers of Indiana Territory were enthusiastically in 
favor of the declaration of war and its vigorous pros- 
ecution. Although the population was not large, in 
every vicissitude of the contest the conduct of the 
people of Indiana was patriotic and honorable. They 
volunteered with alacrity, and endured the hardships 
of the campaigns on the swamps of the Maumee and 
the St. Marys with patience and cheerfulness. 

Peace was made with Great Britain by the treaty 
at Ghent, December 24, 1814. The Indians, deprived 
of their British ally and having lost their great 
leader, Tecumseh, renounced all hope of arresting 
the advance of the white man. Tribe after tribe 
during the year 1815 entered into treaties of peace 
with the United States and acknowledged themselves 
under the protection of the Government. Confidence 
was restored to the frontier settlements and immigra- 
tion again began to push into the forests and prairies. 
The campaigns of the rangers and mounted infantry 
who had traversed the rich and delightful lands along 
the Wabash, the Sangamon and the Illinois, served as 
explorations of new and fertile countries and opened 
the way to thousands of pioneers and the formation 
of new settlements. Although large numbers passed 
westward to the prairies of Illinois, yet Indiana re- 
tained a large share of the rapid immigration. From 
1810 to 1820 Indiana increased in population from 
24, 520 to 147, 178, an increase of 500 per cent, a rate 
of growth at that time unexampled in the growth of 
American States. 

INDIANA ADMITTED INTO THE UNION. 

In December, 1815, one year after the close of the 
war, the Territorial Legislature petitioned Congress 



for the privilege of forming a State constitution and 
admission into the Union. A bill for these purposes 
was passed in April, 1816; soon after a convention 
met at Corydon and on June 29 adopted the first con- 
stitution of Indiana. This constitution was formed 
at a time when there was a lull of party violence and 
when the era of political good feeling prevailed. On 
December 11, 1816, the State was admitted as a sov- 
ereign member of the Union. Jonathan Jennings, who 
had long represented the Territory, as Delegate in 
Congress and had presided over the convention which 
formed the constitution, was the first Governor. In 
January, 1821, the Legislature located the seat of 
government at Indianapolis, and at the same time 
appointed Commissioners to lay off a town at the site 
selected and gave it its present name, formed by add- 
ing the Greek word polis, meaning a city, to the name 
of the State. 

PBOGKESS or THE NEW STATE. 

In the decade from 1820 to 1830 the sales of gov- 
ernment lands in the State were rapid, amounting to 
more than three and one-half million acres; and the 
population increased 133 per cent. From 1830 to 
1840 the population was doubled. In 1833 the Wa- 
bash & Erie canal was commenced; in 1834 the 
State Bank with ten branches was incorporated. The 
result of these undertakings and others into which 
the State entered was a debt of over $14,000,000 and 
a general bankruptcy which retarded the progress 
and development of the State. In 1846 measures 
were taken to pay the accumulated interest'on the 
State debt; in 1850 a new constitution was adopted, 
and soon the whole economy of the State was changed 
and prosperity returned. The State is the smallest 
of the Western States, having an area of 33,809 
square miles, but in population it ranks sixth in the 
members of the Union. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



25 



CHAPTER 11. 



THE INDIANS OF INDIANA AND EARLY EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THEM. 



NAMES OF THE TRIBES IN INDIANA— THE MIAMI CONFEDERACY— LITTLE TURTLE QUOTED— INDIAN VIL- 
LAtlES- INDIAN AGRICULTURE— MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES— ANTOINE QAMELIN'S MISSION— 
THE INDIANS DEMAND THE OHIO FOR THEIR BOUNDARY— COL. LOCHRY'S DISASTROUS DEFEAT— TREATY OF 
FORT FINNEY— GEORGE ROGERS CLARK'S EXPEDITION AGAINST THE WABASH INDIANS— GEN. CHARLES 
SCOTT'S EXPEDITION— COL. JAMES WILKINSON'S EXPEDITION— GEN. JOSIAH HARMAR'S EXPEDITION— ST. 
CLAIR'S DEFEAT— WAYNE'S VICTORY. 



T 



HE Indian tribes resident within the bounds of 



whites were commenced were the Miamis, the Shaw- 
nees, the Delawares, the Wyandots, and Pottawatto- 
mies. The Weas, Eel Rivers, and Piankashaws, also 
found in the State, were really branches of the Miamis. 
In the treaty at Greenville Gen. Wayne recognized 
the Weas and Eel Rivers as distinct tribes from the 
Miamis in order that they might receive a large 
share of the money which was stipulated to be paid 
by the United States. Gen. Wayne thought it just 
that the Miamis and their allied tribes should receive 
more of the annuities promised by the Government 
than they would be entitled to as a single tribe, 
because he recognized it as a fact that the country 
ceded by the treaty was really their property. The 
Indians were so frequently at war with each other 
and so often moved from one region to another that 
it is difficult to locate them and impossible to fix 
definite bounds to their possessions. According to 
the map of Indiana giving the Indian names of rivers, 
towns, etc., prepared by the late Daniel Hough, of 
Wayne County, and published in the Indiana Geo- 
logical Report of 1882, the northern portion of the 
State is assigned to the Pottawattomies; the Wabash 
and Maumee valleys to the Miamis; the head-waters 
of both branches of White River to the Delawares; 
the south-eastern part of the State along the Ohio to 
the Shawnees, and west of them the Wyandots. 

Of these tribes the Miamis were at one time by 
far the most numerous and powerful. Their territory 
embraced all of Ohio west of the Scioto, all of Indi- 
ana and part of Illinois. They had numerous villages 
on the Scioto, the head-waters of the two Miamis, 
the Maumee and throughout the whole course of the 
Wabash as far down as the town of Brushwood, now 
Vincennes. Before the arrival of the whites west of 
the mountains, it is believed that the Miamis could 
assemble a larger number of warriors than any other 
aboriginal nation of North America. The ravages 



of the small-pox had largely reduced their numbers 
before the commencement of the Revolutionary war. 

Little Turtle, the famous Miami chief, during 
the negotiations which preceded the treaty of Green- 
ville, spoke with pride and yet with sadness of the 
former greatness and dominion of his tribe. His 
words are preserved in the Americau State Papers: 

"I hope you will pay attention to what I now say 
to you. You have pointed out to us the boundary 
line between the Indians and the United States; but 
I now take the liberty to inform you, that that line 
cuts off from the Indians a large portion of country 
which has been enjoyed by my forefathers time 
immemorial, without molestation or dispute. The 
prints of my ancestor's houses are everywhere to be 
seen in this portion. It is well known to all my 
brothers present that my forefather kindled the first 
fire at Detroit; from thence he extended his lines to 
the head- waters of Scioto; from thence to its mouth; 
from thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the 
Wabash; from thence to Chicago on Lake Michigan. 
At this place I first saw my elder brothers, the 
Shawnees. I have now informed you of the bound- 
aries of the Miami nation, where the Great Spirit 
placed my forefather a long time ago and charged 
him not to sell or part with his lands, but to preserve 
them for his posterity. This charge has been handed 
down to me. I was surprised to find my other 
brothers differed so much from me on this subject; 
for their conduct would lead one to suppose that the 
Great Spirit and their forefathers had not given 
them the charge that was given to me; but on the 
contrary had directed them to sell their lands to any 
white man who wore a hat, as soon as he should ask 
it of them." 

Little Turtle took pride in the antiquity of his 
race, as well as in the extent of territory controlled 
by his ancestors. In 1797 this Miami chief met 
Volney in Philadelphia. The French philosopher 
explained to the savage orator the theory that the 



26 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Indian race had descended from the dark-skinned 
Tartars, and, by a map, showed the supposed com- 
munication between Asia and America. Little Tur- 
tle replied: "Why should not these Tartars, who 
resemble us, have descended from the Indians ? ' ' 

INDIAN VILLAGES. 

Long before the first settlements of the English- 
speaking whites in Indiana the habits of the Indians 
had been modified by their contact with the Euro- 
peans. The traders had supplied them with fire- 
arms, Bcalping-knives and iron tomahawks. They 
had iron pots and brass kettles for cooking and sugar 
making. They had learned to like strong drink, and 
were given to great excesses in eating and drinking. 
Many of the inhabitants of some of their more 
important villages were French. 

The Wea Prairie or plains a few miles below the 
mouth of Wea Creek, and not far fi'om the site of 
Lafayette, contained some of the most extensive 
improvements ever made by the Indians within the 
limits of the State. On the opposite side of the 
Wabash was the Indian town Ouiatenon, or Wah-wee- 
ah-tenon in the Indian tongue. When it was de- 
stroyed by Col. Wilkinson in 1791 he found there a 
number of French books, letters and documents, 
showing that the place was in close connection with 
Detroit. For richness of soil and beauty of natural 
scenery few places in the West can compare with the 
Wea plains. 

The town of Tippecanoe, orKathtippaeamunck, on 
the north side of the Wabash, at the mouth of the 
Tippecanoe, was also a celebrated Indian place. In 
1791 the village consisted of about 120 houses, 
eighty of which were shingle-roofed. The best 
houses belonged to the French traders, whose gardens 
and improvements round the town are described as 
delightful, and indeed not a little wonderful. There 
was a tavern with cellars, bar and public and private 
rooms; the whole was marked by considerable order, 
and evinced a small degree of civilization. The 
town of the Eel River tribe was scattered along the 
Eel River for about three miles, on an uneven scrubby- 
oak barren, intersected alternately with bogs almost 
impenetrable, and impervious thickets of plum, hazel 
and black-jack. Col. Wilkinson found the head chief 
at this place guarding a number of prisoners and 
families at work digging a root which they substi- 
tuted in place of the potato. 

INDIAN AGEICULTURE. 

The agriculture of the Indians in Indiana, as 
well as in most other parts of North America, was 
confined chiefly to the growing of corn and beans, to 
which potatoes were afterward added. The extent of 



their corn-fields on the Wabash and the Maumee was 
greater than is generally supposed. A journal of 
Gen. Wayne's campaign, kept by George Will, under 
the date of Augusts, 1791, says: " We have marched 
four or five miles in corn-fields down the Auglaize, 
and there are not less than 1,000 acres of corn 
around the town." The same journal describes the 
immense corn-fields, numerous vegetable patches and 
old apple trees found along the banks of the Maumee 
from its mouth to Ft. Wayne, and discloses the fact 
that the army obtained its bread and vegetables for 
eight days, while building Ft. Defiance, from the 
surrounding corn and potato fields. 

One of the chief objects of the military expedi- 
tions against the Indian villages was the destruction 
of their corn, which would compel their warriors to 
devote more of their time to hunting as a means of 
subsistence, and thus prevent marauding expeditions 
against the white settlements. Gen. Harmar, in his 
unsuccessful expedition in 1790, burned and destroyed 
nearly 20,000 bushels of corn in the vicinity of Ft. 
Wayne. Gen. Charles Scott, in his expedition 
against the Wabash Indians, destroyed a considerable 
amount of corn about the Ist of June, 1791. In 
August of the same year Col. Wilkinson, who 
marched against the same villages, found that the 
Indians had re-planted their corn, and it was in high 
cultivation, several fields being well plowed. Wil- 
kinson reported that besides burning a respectable 
Kickapoo village, he had cut down at least 430 acres 
of corn, chiefly in the milk, and that the Indians, left 
without houses, home or provisions, must cease to war, 
and would find active employment in subsisting their 
squaws and children during the coming winter. 

MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER. 

Gen. William H. Harrison speaks of the moral 
and intellectual qualities of the Indians of the North- 
west in his discourse before the Ohio Historical and 
Philosophical Society on the "Aboriginees of the 
Ohio Valley," as follows: 

" The Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees and Mia- 
mis were much superior to the other members of the 
confederacy. The Little Turtle of the Miami tribe 
was one of this description, as was the Blue Jacket, 
a Shawnee chief. I think it probable that Tecumseh 
possessed more integrity than any other of the chiefs 
who attained to much distinction; but he violated a 
solemn engagement, which he had freely contracted, 
and there are strong suspicions of his having formed 
a treacherous design, which an accident only pre- 
vented him from accomplishing. Similar instances 
are, however, to be found in the conduct of great men 
in the history of almost all civilized nations. But 
these instances are more than counterbalanced by the 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



27 



number of individuals of bigh moral character which 
were to be found among the principal and secondarj 
chiefs of the four tribes above mentioned. This was 
particularly the case with Tarhe, or the Crane, the 
great sachem of the Wyandots, and Black Hoof, the 
chief of the Shawnees. Many instances might be 
adduced to show the possession on the part of these 
men of an uncommon degree of disinterestedness and 
magnanimity, and strict performance of their engage- 
ments under circumstances which would be consid" 
ered by many as justifying evasion. 

' ' By many they are supposed to be stoics, who 
willingly encounter deprivations. The very reverse 
is the fact. If they belong to either of the classes of 
philosophers which prevailed in the declining ages 
of Greece and Rome, it is to that of the Epicureans. 
For no Indian will forego an enjoyment or suffer an 
inconvenience if he can avoid it, but under peculiar 
circumstances, when, for instance, he is stimulated 
by some strong passion. But even the gratification 
of this he is ready to postpone whenever its accom- 
plishment is attended with unlooked-for danger or 
unexpected hardships. Hence their military opera- 
tions were always feeble, their expeditions few and 
far between, and much the greater number abandoned 
without an efficient stroke, from whim, caprice, or an 
aversion to encounter difficulties." He adds : 
"When, however, evil comes which he cannot avoid, 
then he will call up all the spirit of the man and 
meet his fate, however hard, like the best Roman of 
them all." 

ANTOINE GAMELIn's MISSION. 

While Gov. St. Clair was engaged in organizing 
the western counties of the Northwest Territory in 
1790, he made a praiseworthy effort to conciliate the 
hostile tribes on the Wabash. Antoine Gamelin, an 
intelligent French merchant of Vincennes, was em- 
ployed to carry the messages of the Government to 
the Indians, and to acertain their disposition and 
sentiments. Antoine traveled across the State and 
visited all the tribes along the Wabash and as far 
east as the junction of the St. Joseph and St. Mary's, 
at the site of Fort Wayne. His journal, which for- 
tunately has been preserved, gives much information 
concerning the Indians of Indiana in the earlier 
period of the history of the Northwest Territory. 

Setting out from Vincennes on April 5, 1790, the 
first Indian village he arrived at was called Kicka- 
pougoi, inhabited by a tribe then peaceably disposed 
toward the whites. The second village he found was 
at tbe river Vermillion, and inhabited by the Pian- 
keshaws, who looked upon the Miamis as their elder 
brei.hren, and could not give an answer to the mes- 
sage until they had consulted that nation. On the 
11th of April Gamelin arrived at a tribe of the Kick- 



apoos, who also regarded the Miamis as their elder 
brethren. On the 18th he arrived at Eel River. The 
village of Eel River Indians stood about six miles 
above the junction of that stream with the Wabash. 
The chief of this tribe was absent, and no answer to 
the message could be obtained. On the 23d of April 
he arrived at the great village of the Miamis, at the 
site of Fort Wayne. The chief of the Miamis at this 
time was called LeGris. At this place were both 
French and English traders. While Gamelin re- 
mained five Pottawattomies arrived with two negro 
men, whom they sold to the English traders. Blue 
Jacket, the great warrior chief of the Shawnees, was 
at the Miami town. Both LeGris and Blue Jacket 
were disposed to insist that the Ohio River should be 
made the Indian boundary, and the report of Gamelin 
was unfavorable for the maintenance of peace. 

INDIANS DEMAND THE OHIO FOR THEIR BOUNDARY. 

The Indians of the Wabash and Maumee were 
hostile to the formation of the earlier settlements 
northwest of the Ohio, and made incursions upon the 
whites along the Ohio in what is now the State of 
Ohio, and often passed into Kentucky on expeditions 
of plunder and murder. These Indians were united 
in claiming that the whites had no rights to any lands 
northwest of the Ohio; that the treaty of Fort Stan- 
wix in 1768 made the Ohio River the boundary, and 
they refused to regard the treaties of Fort Mackin- 
tosh in 1785, and Fort Harmar in 1789, as binding, 
because not satisfied by all the tribes. 

In 1793 President Washington instructed the 
Commissioners appointed by him to negotiate a treaty 
of peace with the Northwestern Indians, to use every 
effort to obtain a confirmation of the boundary line 
established at Fort Harmar, and to offer in payment 
$50,000 in hand, and an annuity of $10,000 forever. 
The Indians refused the money, claimed that the 
treaties already made were void because not sanc- 
tioned by all the tribes, demanded that the Ohio 
River should be considered the boundary, and that 
every white settlement should be removed from the 
Northwest Territory. The paper containing these 
views of the Indians was signed by the chiefs of the 
Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Miamis, Mingoes 
Pottawattomies, Ottawas, Connoys, Chippewas and 
Munsees. 

The Commissioners explained to them that the 
United States Government had sold large tracts of 
land northwest of the Ohio, and that the white set- 
tlements and improvements were numerous, and had 
cost much money and labor, and could not be given 
up; but the Government was willing to pay a larger 
sum in money and goods than had been given at any 
one time for Indian lands since the whites first set 



28 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



their feet on this continent. The Indians gave as 
their final reply: 

" Money is of no value to us, and to most of us is 
unknown. As no consideration whatever can induce 
us to sell the lands on which we get sustenance for 
our women and children, we hope we may be allowed 
to point out a mode by which your settlers may be 
easily removed, and peace thereby obtained. 

" We know these settlers are poor, or they never 
would have ventured to live in a country which has 
been in continual trouble since they crossed the Ohio. 
Divide, therefoi-e, this large sum of money which 
you have offered to us among these people. Give to 
each, also, a proportion of virhat you say you will 
give to us annually over and above this large sum of 
money, and, we are persuaded, they will most readily 
accept it in lieu of the land you sold them. If you 
add, also, the great sums you must expend in raising 
and paying armies with a view to force us to yield 
you our country, you will certainly have more than 
sufficient for the purpose of repaying these settlers 
for all their labor and their improvements. 

" We shall be persuaded that you mean to do us 
justice if you agree that the Ohio shall remain the 
boundary line between us. If you will not consent 
thereto, our further meeting will be altogether un- 
necessary." 

The Commissioners on the part of the Grovernment 
said "That they had already explicitly declared to 
them that it was now impossible to make the Ohio 
River the line between their lands and the lands of 
the United States. Your answer amounts to a decla- 
ration that you will agree to no other boundary than 
the Ohio. The negotiation is therefore at an end." 

Nothing remained for the Government but a vig- 
orous prosecution of the war. The Indians were 
defeated by Gen. Wayne in August, 1794, and in 
August, 1795, a treaty of peace was ratified by all 
the tribes. The treaty of Greenville was the first 
one since that of Fort Stanwix, which was regarded 
as binding upon the Indian confederacy. It was 
observed by them in good faith, atid there was no 
further war between the red men and the whites until 
the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. 

COL. lochry's disastrous defeat. 
One of the most disastrous battles which took place 
on the soil of Indiana was the surprise and defeat of 
Col. Archibald Lochry by the Indians, on August 24, 
1781. Lochry was the County Lieutenant of West- 
moreland County, Penn. , and was requested by Col. 
George Rogers Clark, to raise a military force in the 
summer of 1781, and to join him in a movement then 
contemplated against the Indian ti-ibes of the North- 
west. Col. Lochry raised a force of 107 mounted men. 



and on the 25th of July set out for Fort Henry, at 
Wheeling, where they expected to join Col. Clark. 
When they arrived at Wheeling they found that Clark 
had proceeded down the river, leaving directions for 
Lochry to follow him. They passed down the river, 
and on August 24 reached the mouth of a creek which 
empties into the Ohio about ten miles below the Great 
Miami. This stream has since been named Lochry's 
Creek. Here was an attractive spot, and the Colonel 
ordered the boats to land on the north side of the 
Ohio. The horses were turned loose to feed, while 
some of the mea were sent out to cut grass for the 
horses on their way to Louisville. Oue of the party 
had killed a buffalo, and all, except a few, who were 
cutting grass ur guarding the horses, were engaged 
round the fires, which they had kindled for cooking 
a meal. Suddenly they were assailed by a volley of 
rifles from a large party of Indians. The men seized 
their guns and defended themselves, until their am- 
munition was exhausted, and then took to their boats, 
when they were fired upon by another party of Indi- 
ans in canoes. The result was the death of Lochry, 
and forty- one of his men. The whole detachment were 
either killed or taken prisoners; not one escaped. Some 
were killed after being taken prisoners. The pris- 
oners were taken to Canada, and were not set at lib- 
erty until after the peace of 1783. Col. Lochry's 
party was composed of the best men of the Pennsyl- 
vania frontiers. 

TREATY OF FORT FINNEY. 

Congress resolved in March, 1785, to hold a treaty 
with the Indiana of the Wabash and other parts of 
Indiana at Vincenneson June 20, 1785. The place of 
meeting was afterward "changed to the mouth of the 
Great Miami, where a temporary work of defense was 
erected and named Fort Finney. The representa- 
tives of the United States were George Rogers Clark, 
Richard Butler and Samuel H. Parsons. Various 
circumstances caused the time of the negotiations to 
be changed to the winter of 1785-86. The Wabash 
Indians refused to attend, on account of a growing 
spirit of hostility. Some chiefs and warriors of the 
Shawnees and a few Delawares and Wyandots finally 
met the Commissioners, and after some time spent in 
negotiations, the treaty of Fort Finney was signed 
on January 31, 1780. The United States stockade 
pending the deliberations, mustered seventy men. 
There were present some 300 of the finest warriors of 
the Shawnees. By the treaty the United States were 
acknowledged to be the sole and absolute sovereigns 
of all the territory ceded to them by the treaty with 
Great Britain in 1784. Hunting grounds lying 
chiefly in Indiana were allotted the Shawnees as fol- 
lows: 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



29 



" The United States do allot to the Shawnee 
nation, lands within said territory to live and hunt 
upon, beginning at the south line of the lands allot- 
ted to the Wyandots and Delaware nations, at the 
place where the main branch of the Groat Miami, 
which falls into the Ohio, intersects said line; then 
down the river Miami to the fort of that river next 
below the old fort which was taken by the French in 
one thousand seven hundred and fifty- two; thence 
due west to the river De La Panae; then down that 
river to the river Wabash; beyond]which lines none of 
the citizens of the United States shall settle, nor 
disturb the Shawnees in their settlement possession." 

The treaty failed entirely in securing peace, as the 
tribes more distant than the Shawnees were in no way 
disposed to cease their incursions. 

GEN. Clark's expedition aoainst the wabash Indians. 

The first important expedition which passed over 
the Territory of Indiana against the Indians was the 
unsuccessful one of George Rogers Clark against the 
Wabash Indians in 1786. Many depredations had 
been committed in Kentucky by marauding bands 
crossing the Ohio, plundering, burning and scalping. 
The bands were chiefly from the Miamis and the Wa- 
bash. Congress having failed in its efforts to secure 
peace with the Indians by the treaty at Fort Finney, 
ordered two companies down the Ohio to the Falls 
and on June 30, 1786, authorized the raising of mill, 
tia in Kentucky for the invasion of the country of the 
hostile tribes. The expedition was organized into two 
parties, one under Gen. Clark to march against the 
upper Wabash country; the other under Col. Benjam- 
in Logan was to proceed against the villages on the 
head-waters of the Great Miami. 

Col. Logan, with 400 or 500 mounted rifle-men, 
crossed the Ohio near Maysville, Ky., and passing 
northward succeeded in destroying some Indian vil- 
lages in what is now Logan County, Ohio, killing 
about twenty savages and taking about seventy pris- 
oners. 

Gen. Clark was not so successful. With about 
1,000 men he marched from the Falls of the Ohio for 
Vincennes and arrived near that place in October. His 
supplies were to be forwarded to that place by boats. 
Nine boats had been freighted with stores to descend 
the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash and then to as. 
cend to Vincennes. The low state of the water re. 
tarded the arrival of the boats. The army lay en 
camped awaiting the arrival of provisions. Day after 
day passed. One thousand hungry men consume much 
food. The men were put on short allowance. Many 
became restless and mutinous. At last, after waiting 
nine days, the boats arrived. But to their disappoint- 
ment the meat was found to be spoiled by the hot 



weather. There were sound rations only for three 
days, and there was a march before them of 200 miles- 
The mutinous spirit became more apparent. Gen. 
Clark urged an immediate and rapid advance. The 
Kentucky volunteers were re-enforced by a number of 
the inhabitants of Vincennes and the army started on 
its march up the Wabash. On reaching the mouth of 
the Vermillion it was found that the Indians had de- 
serted their villages on that stream. Disappointment, 
hunger and fatigue now led to open mutiny and 300 
men with some officers of high rank mounted their 
horses and left for their homes. Neither the com- 
mands, the entreaties nor the tears of the command- 
ing General could avail. Nothing was left to Clark 
but the abandonment of the expedition. With the 
remainder of his half-starved men, the unfortunate 
commander worked his way back to the Falls, covered 
with shame and confusion. This was the last expedi- 
tion of the brilliant military genius, George Rogers 
Clark and the first one which resulted unfortunately. 

GEN. CHARLES SCOTt's EXPEDITION. 

In January, 1791, President Washington laid be- 
fore Congress his views of the proper measures for 
protecting the wegtern settlements from Indian depre- 
dations. He expressed a very decided opinion that 
another campaign against the Wabash Indians was 
indispensable. These tribes were estimated at 1,100 
warriors, to which were to be added 1,000 belonging to 
more distant tribes. The President held that, although 
winter imposed peace at that time, unless the attention 
of the tribes was directed to their own country, they 
would spi-ead desolation over the frontier on the open- 
ing of spring. Congress authorized the President to 
raise an army of 3,000 men, to be placed under the 
command of Gov. St. Clair, who was appointed a 
Major-General, and also a corps of Kentucky volun- 
teers for the purpose of a rapid march and immediate 
attack on the Wabash. This corps was placed under 
the command of Gen. Charles Scott. 

On the 23d of May, 1791, Gen. Scott, with a 
force of about 800 mounted men, crossed the Ohio at 
the mouth of the Kentucky and commenced his march 
for the Wea towns. They pressed forward with the 
utmost celerity, but the rain fell in torrents and wore 
down their horses and injured their provisions. The 
country was intersected and made rough by four 
branches of the White River and other smaller 
streams, many of them having steep and muddy 
banks. On the 31st of May they had made 135 
miles from the Ohio. On June 1, at a distance of 
150 miles from the Ohio, they came in sight of two 
small villages on their left, at a distance of two and 
four miles respectively, the main town being about 
five miles in front. The General sent a detachment 



30 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



under Col. Hardin to attack the villages on the left, 
while he pressed forward rapidly toward the main 
town in front. When the main army arrived at an 
eminence overlooking the villages on the Wabash, 
the enemy were discovered in great confusion cross- 
ing the river in canoes, having been apprised of the 
approach of the whites by one of their warriors who 
had seen them on the preceding day. All the sav- 
ages in live canoes were destroyed by a well-directed 
tire. The Wabash, at that point, was too high to be 
forded, and the Indians kept up a vigorous tire from 
the Kickapoo towns on the opposite bank. Two com- 
panies passed down the river and crossed over and 
drove the enemy from the Kickapoo village. In the, 
meantime, Col. Hardin successfully executed the 
order to take the villages on the left. He also dis- 
covered a third and stronger village which he also 
captured, and joined his commander before sunset, 
having killed six warriors and taken fifty-two pris. 
oners. The next day Col. Wilkinson, with 360 men, 
marched to the Tippecanoe village, which he took 
and destroyed, together with a large quantity of 
corn, peltry and furniture. On the same day, the 
Wea and Kickapoo towns were burned, and the gal- 
lant army reached the Ohio on the 14th of June, hav- 
ing accomplished the great object of their expedition 
without the loss of a single man killed and only four 
wounded, and having killed thirty-two of the savages 
and taken fifty-two prisoners. The General testified 
that not a single a(!t of inhumanity had marked the 
conduct of his men. 

COL. JAMES Wilkinson's expedition. 

The expedition of Gen. Scott having been suc- 
cessful, on the recommendation of Gen. St. Clair, the 
Kentucky Board of War resolved to organize another 
without loss of time to destroy the Eel River towns. 
This expedition was placed under the command of 
Col. James Wilkinson. . On July 20 Col. Wilkinson 
reported to Gov. St. Clair at Fort Washington with 
525 men well mounted and equipped. The march 
began from Cincinnati on August 1. They took with 
them provisions for thirty days. Instead of taking 
the direct course toward the Eel River villages, in 
order to mislead the enemy, the army directed its 
course toward the site of Fort Wayne. The hunting 
grounds of the Indians in the southwest part of In- 
diana, and the most common paths traveled by them 
were thus avoided. For three days the northwardly 
course was pursued. After about seventy miles from 
Cincinnati had been made, their course was turned 
northwestward. On the 6th they captured a Dela- 
ware living on the Maumee. On the 7th the army 
reached the Wabash near the mouth of Eel River. 



The troops crossed the river and charged upon the 
town. The enemy being completely surprised, was 
unable to make the least resistance; sis of their war- 
riors were killed and thirty- four prisoners taken. 
Unfortunately in the hurry and confusion of the 
charge, two Indian women and one child were killed. 
A white captive in the village was released. The 
whites lost but two men killed and one wounded. The 
next day the corn was cut down and the cabins 
burned. Col. Wilkinson then took up his march 
toward the Kickapoo towns in the prairie, by way of 
the Tippecanoe village. Reaching the latter place, 
which had been destroyed by Gen. Scott in the pre- 
ceding June, it was found that the Indians had 
replanted their corn and beans. These were again 
cut down. While at this place the commander 
learned of some murmuring and discontent among 
his men, growing out of a reluctance to proceed 
further in the enemy's country. This induced him 
to examine the state of the horses and provisions, 
when he learned to his mortification that 270 horses 
were lame and jaded, and barely five days' provisions 
left for the men. Most reluctantly was the Colonel 
compelled to abandon his design against the Kicka- 
poos of the prairie. He, however, marched against 
a village of the same tribe, about three leagues west. 
This town, consisting of about thirty houses, was 
destroyed, with a considerable quantity of corn in the 
milk. On their homeward march the army fell into 
Gen. Scott's homeward trace, and arrived at the Falls 
of the Ohio on August 21. The men were mostly 
Kentucky volunteers, and great praise was awarded 
by the commander to the whole detachment. Their 
entire march from Cincinnati to the Indian towns, 
and then to the Falls, was by accurate computation 
451 miles, and was accomplished in twenty-one days. 
Among the prisoners taken by Col. Wilkinson were 
the sons and sisters of the king of Ouiatenon nation. 



GEN. JOSIAH HARMAR S EXPEDITION. 

The largest and most important expeditions against 
the Indians of the Northwest Territory were directed 
against the Miami towns at and near the junction of 
the St. Mary and St. Joseph, where they form the 
Maumee. The region about the site of Fort Wayne 
was probably more thickly populated with savages 
than any other in Indiana. The junction of the 
rivers was the site of an old and important town of 
the Miami tribe. The importance as a strategic 
point of the site of Fort Wayne struck Washington's 
sagacious mind, and one of the objects of the cam- 
paigns on the Maumee was to establish here a fort 
which was to be connected by intermediate stations 
with Fort Washington at Cincinnati. 



%. 






%s I'VIWfr' 



^ 



V 






HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



33 



The first of these campaigns was under the com- 
mand of Gen. Josiah Harmar. He marched from 
Cincinnati in September, 1790, by a circuitous route, 
which he was told by guides was the shortest and 
best to the head of the Maumee. He had in all 
about 1,300 men, three-fourths of whom were raw 
militia, badly armed and equipped. They were badly 
supplied with axes and camp-kettles; their arms 
were largely out of repair and almost useless; many 
muskets being brought in without locks with the 
expectation of being repaired in camp. Many of the 
militia were substitutes unused to lire-arms, who at 
the first sight of the Indians threw down their arms 
and ran. On October 13, the army being within 
about thirty miles of the site of Fort Wayne, Col. 
John Harding, with 600 militia men and one com- 
pany of regulars, was sent forward to surprise the 
enemy and keep them in their forts until the main 
body with artillery would come up. On reaching the 
villages, however, they were found deserted. On the 
17th the main body arrived, and five or six towns 
were destroyed and about 20,000 bushels of corn in 
the ear cut down. On the 2l8t the army started on 
its homeward march. Unfortunately, on the next day 
it was resolved that Col. Harding, with a detachment 
of 340 militia and sixty regulars, should return to 
the burned villages on the supposition that the In- 
dians had returned thither. They succeeded in find- 
ing the Indians early the next morning. A severe 
engagement ensued; the savages fought with bravery. 
The troops were defeated, many of the militia and 
most of the regulars being killed. Dispirited by this 
misfortune and dissensions among his officers, Har- 
mar returned to Cincinnati. The expedition is 
known as Harmar's defeat. In its purpose of intim- 
idating the Indians it was entirely unsuccessful, but 
in its object of destroying the Miami villages it was 
completely successful; the towns were taken and 300 
houses and wigwams burned without the loss of an 
American soldier. The subsequent efforts to defeat 
the savages in battle were unsuccessful. The Indians 
looked upon the expedition as a failure and defeat 
and it was followed by vigorous efforts on their part 
to harass and break up the American settlements. To 
carry out their purposes more effectually, Little 
Turtle, chief of the Miamis, Blue Jacket, chief of 
the Shawnees, and Buckongahelas, chief of the Del- 
awares, engaged in forming a confederacy strong 
enough to drive the whites beyond the Ohio. 



ST. CLAIB S DEFEAT. 

The unfortunate expedition of Gen. St. Clair was 
organized during the year 1791. He was instructed 
by the War Department to march for the village at 
the head of the Maumee in order to establish a strong 
and permanent military post at that place, and to 
establish such posts of communication between that 
place and Fort Washington as he should judge proper. 
"The establishment of such a post" said the Secre- 
tary of War, " is considered as an important object 
of the campaign, and is to take place at all events." 
On September 17 St. Clair, with about 2,300 men, 
marched from Ludlow's Station, near Cincinnati. On 
November 3 the army arrived at a creek running to 
the southwest, and which was supposed to be the St. 
Mary's, one of the principal branches of the Maumee, 
but was afterward found to be a branch of the Wabash. 
Early on the morning of November 4, the army was 
surprised and met with a most disastrous defeat. Of 
the 1,500 men engaged in the battle more than half 
were either killed or wounded. It was the greatest 
calamity to the disheartened and greatly harassed 
pioneers of the Northwest Territory, and the most dis- 
astrous defeat of the Americans by the Indians. The 
battle occurred near the Indiana line in Mercer 
County, Ohio, the battle-field being afterward known 
as Fort Recovery. 

Wayne's victory. 
Immediately after the defeat the Federal Govern- 
ment took steps to raise another large army to oper- 
ate against 'the hostile tribes. Nearly three years 
passed, however, before the confederated hostile tribes 
were met by Gen. Anthony Wayne, whose army num- 
bered more than 3,000 men, well disciplined and 
finely officered, 1,600 being mounted volunteer troops 
from Kentucky commanded by Gen. Charles Scott, of 
that State. Wayne's decisive victory occurred August 
20, 1794, near the Maumee rapids in Wood County, 
Ohio. The battle is known as the battle of the 
Fallen Timbers, though sometimes called the battle 
of the Maumee. Had not the Indians apprised of 
the approach of the armies of St. Clair and Wayne gone 
forth from their principal villages to meet them, the 
disastrous defeat of the one and the decisive victory 
of the other would have taken place on the soil of 
Indiana and not of Ohio. Cessation of the long and 
bloody Indian war followed Wayne's victory, and a 
peace was secured which continued unbroken until 
the battle of Tippecanoe sixteen years later. 



34 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER III. 



PIONEER HISTORY. 



THE DAWN OF CIVILIZATION UPON, AND FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE WHITEWATER VALLET— POSITION OF THE 
LANDS OF THE COUNTY— JOHN AND WILLIAM CONNER AND OTHER EARLY SETTLERS— PIONEER LIFE- 
FRIENDLY AND HOSTILE INDIANS. 



aENERALLY speaking, from the east and south 
upward marched the van of civilization to the 
fertile valleys and beautiful hills of the Whitewater 
country, explorers and immigrants coming from the 
direction of the Miami country, Cincinnati, Harrison 
and Lawrenceburg. 

John Gleves Symmes had landed at North Bend 
on the Ohio early in the year 1789, and in 1795 
several families had settled on the site of Lawrence- 
burw, and a small settlement had been made at Arm- 
strong's Station, in Clark County. Cincinnati was 
laid out in 1789; Hamilton, at Fort Hamilton in 1794; 
Dayton in 1795 and in the spring of the following 
year permanent settlements commenced. 

Gen. Wayne's victory over the Indians, August 
20, 1794, put a check to their depredations but did 
not at once reduce them to absolute submission. In 
March, 1795, one man was killed and eight horses 
stolen in the village of North Bend. The treaty of 
peace at Greenville, concluded August 3, 1795, put 
an end to the murder of white men by Indians in the 
Miami country and was signalized by rapid immigra- 
tion thither and opened the way for further explora- 
tion and immigration to the territory of eastern and 
southern Indiana. 

It is not improbable that the Whitewater Valley 
was as early explored as the division to which it be- 
longs. It is a matter of record that from 1796 to 
1799 many settlers had established themselves 
throughout Dearborn County. 

The Rev. Allen Wiley, one of the pioneer preach- 
ers of the Whitewater country, and well known to 
many of the pioneers yet living in this section, in 
1845-46 wrote a series of articles which appeared in 
the Western Christian Advocate published in Cincin- 
nati, titled " Introduction and Progress of Method- 
ism in Southeastern Indiana." Mr. Wiley was a 
man of unusually large experience and knowledge of 
the people and times whereof he wrote. He says: 
"In the autumn of 1804 my father came to Indiana 
and settled aboi;t three miles above where Harrison 
now stands, I being then in my sixteenth year. The 
country was then somewhat densely settled along the 



river up to what was called the Lower Narrows, six 
or seven miles above where Whitewater leaves Indi- 
ana. As well as I remember there was one family 
on the southwest side of the river opposite the before 
mentioned narrows; another family on the same side 
opposite the narrows above the present town of New 
Trenton, and another on the same side in the bottom 
below the present town of Rochester, now Cedar 
Grove. Three-quarters of a mile above Big Cedar 
Grove Creek, Mr. John Conner, an Indian trader, 
had a store kept by a Frenchman, hence the store was 
called the ' French store.' 

"I have now gone to the ultima thule or verge of 
the white population in the Whitewater Valley in 
1804. There were a few families on Johnson's Fork. 
In the spring of 1805 two settlements were formed on 
the Bast Fork of Whitewater; the one a little north of 
the town of Richmond, in Wayne County, was called 
the Kentucky settlement, because most of the families 
were from Kentucky; the other was some distance 
above the town of Brookville, near where Fairfield 
now stands, and was called the Carolina settlement 
because the most of the families were from South 
Carolina. The same spring Mr. William Tyner, a 
Baptist minister, settled about one and one-half miles 
below Brookville and Mr. Thomas Williams one mile 
above on the south side of West Fork. At that time I 
presume the land on which the flourishing town of 
Brookville now stands was the property of the Gov- 
ernment. At the period of which I now write (1805) 
the only mill for all the upper Whitewater country 
was on the edge of Ohio, owned by Mr. Thomas Smith, 
of Kentucky, so that the Kentucky settlement had to 
travel some fifty miles to mill, and the Carolina set- 
tlers twenty-five. Sometimes, perhaps, the former 
went across through the wilderness to Four and Seven 
Mile Creeks, near the Great Miami, because they were 
some nigher." 

Of the two settlements referred to by Mr. Wiley 
the " Carolina Colony" was composed of the following 
named heads of families: Robert Hanna, Sr., John 
Templeton, George Leviston, William Logan, Joseph 
Hanna, John Ewing and Robert Swan. These fam- 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



35 



ilies as early as the year 1801 had settled on the Dry 
Fork of Whitewater River, near Harrison, and there 
remained until the spring of 1805. However, in the 
meantime the male members of the families had ex 
plored the country along East Fork, and doubtless 
elsewhere and determined upon the sites of their 
future homes. Then returning to their families on 
Dry Fork, there remained until the summer or fall of 
1804. 

These families were nearly all related, and the 
party was under the leadership of Robert Templeton 
and Robert Hanua. In the summer or fall of 1804 
they started for the Whitewater region, their route 
being a "blazed" one and was ever afterward known 
as the "Carolina Trace." The first of the cabins 
built is believed to have been the one subsequently 
occupied by Robert Templeton and family and was 
located in Fairfield Township, Franklin County. 
Nine cabins were built extending along East Fork 
through what are now Fairfield Township in Franklin 
County and Harmony and Liberty Townshijas in 
Union County. The cabins were occupied in the 
spring of 1805. 

Concerning the Kentucky settlement Mr. A. W. 
Young, author of the "History of Wayne County," 
published in 1872 writes: "In the year 1805 the first 
settlement of white men on the banks of Whitewater 
was commenced and the first rude cabin built. In the 
spring of that year George Holeman, Richard Rue 
and Thomas McCoy, with their families, from Ken- 
tucky, settled about two miles south of where Rich- 
mond now stands. Rue and Holeman had served 
under Gen. Clark in his Indian campaigns several 
years before the formation of the Northwestern Ter- 
ritory under the ordinance of 1787. Both had been 
captured by the Indians and held as prisoners about 
three years and a half. Both also lived on the lands 
on which they settled until their deaths, far advanced 
in age. Rue was the first Justice of the Peace in this 
part of the country. 

'\Holeman and Rue selected and entered their lands 
late in 1804, at Cincinnati, on their way home. 
Early in the winter they retiu'ned to build cabins for 
their families, bringing with them, on their horses, such 
tools as were necessary in that kind of architecture, 
and a few cooking utensils. Holeman's two eldest sons, 
Joseph and William, then about eighteen and sixteen 
years of age, accompanied their father, to assist in 
his initiatory pioneer labor. In a very few days two 
cabins were ready for occupancy. Rue and Holeman, 
leaving the boys to take care of themselves, started 
again for Kentucky to bring their families." 

In 1879 William McClure, whose father, coming 
from Kentucky, settled near Cleves in 1804, said: 

"I learned from Capt. Isaac Fuller, of this county, 



(Franklin), that his father lived as early as 1794 or 
1795 at North Bend and in the Big Bottom, and that 
he helped to raise the first patch of corn that was ever 
raised by white men in the Big Bottom. He also told 
me he had a brother about sixteen years of age taken 
by the Indians from North Bend, about 1795. He 
had been sent after the cows. The Indians decoyed 
him by using a bell. His father alone followed them 
to near Brookville, and stayed all night on the place 
on which 1 now live, and watched the movements of 
the Indians, but was unable to effect his son's release. 
The Indians took him to the Upper Wabash country 
and he remained with them about two years. He was 
left by his master at the camp with the squaws, with 
directions what to do, but after the Indians left, one 
of the squaws, a half-sister of the celebrated Tecum, 
seh, ordered him to work at something else, which he 
refused to do, when she tried to kill him. He kept 
out of her way for the time, believing she would kill 
him if she had an opjjortunity. Soon after he went 
with her fishing, and watching an opportunity, he 
struck her with a club on the back of the head and 
knocked her into a deep hole of water, where he sup- 
posed she was drowned. Then he struck out for 
Detroit, where he arrived in about a week, subsisting 
himself as best he could, being followed by the In- 
dians all the way, whom he succeeded in eluding. 
After he arrived in Detroit he found a friend, who 
secreted him for a day or two, until the Indians 
ceased hunting for him, when he conveyed him over 
to Maldon, on the Canada side of the Detroit River, 
from which place he went to Buflfalo, N. Y. , and from 
there he went home through New York and Pennsyl- 
vania, and down the Ohio River." 

As many of the early settlers of Fayette County 
had first settled in what is now Franklin County and 
territory further south and subsequently removed 
further north and settled permanently, we will give 
the names of some common to both counties. 

As early as 1802 or 1803 on Dry Fork lived the 
Athertons; in 1804, the Cottons near Harrison; at 
Harrison and below, the Cooleys, Aliens and the 
Backhouses; above Harrison, John Caldwell and the 
Eads; further north were the Hacklemans, the Mc- 
Cartys and Adairs; about New Trenton in 1807 lived 
the Rockefellars, and in the vicinity settled early the 
Brownlees; the Higgs and Blades settled early on 
Blue Creek. 

POSITION OF THE LANDS OF THE COUNTY. 

The lands of Fayette County are composed of two 
distinct tracts ceded to the United States Government 
by as many different treaties. What is known as the 
" Twelve-Mile Boundary Line " is a line which begins 
at Fort Recovery, in Ohio, extending thence in a due 



36 



HISTOKY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



southwesterly direction until it arrives at a point 
twelve miles distant from the " Indian Boundary 
Line," thence parallel with said "Indian Boundary 
Line," until it intersects the Grouseland Boundary 
Line at a point a little west of the southwest corner 
of Franklin County. This boundary was established 
by a treaty held at Fort Wayne in 1809. 

This line passes through Fayette County, entering 
it at a point in the northeast corner of Posey Town- 
ehip, passing in a southwesterly direction and out of 
the county at a point in the southeastern corner of 
Orange Township. The lands of the county lying east 
of this boundary are in the " Twelve-Mile Purchase," 
and were surveyed and ready for market in 1811. 
The lands lying west of the boundary are in what is 
known as the "New Purchase," which was ceded to the 
United States Government by a treaty concluded at St. 
Mary's, Ohio, October 3, 1818. These land were not 
surveyed and ready for market until 1820. The 
greater portion of the territory of the county lies 
within the "Twelve-Mile Purchase." The land 
office for the sale of the " Twelve- Mile Purchase " 
was located at Cincinnati, Ohio, while that of the 
New Purchase was situated at Brookville, Ind, 

JOHN AND WILLIAM CONNER, AND OTHER EARLY SETTLERS. 

It is our belief that no account of the first settle- 
ment made within the present limits of Fayette County 
has ever been given to print, and if narrated the lips 
from whence it came have long since been sealed and 
the parties to whom given have taken their final 
sleep, and none live to-day to satisfactoi'ily present 
it. There is, however, little doubt but that the trad- 
ing-post established by John Conner (or possibly by 
both of the Conners) on the present site of the city 
bearing his name, marked the first white man's cabin 
and from it gleamed forth the first ray of civilization 
from the surrounding wild forests of, perhaps, four 
score years ago. 

In 1788 or thereabouts there resided in the State 
of Pennsylvania a family by the name of Conner, 
which at that time were taken captives by the Indians 
(theShawnees,we believe,) and carried away to Detroit, 
remaining in state of captivity sufficiently long to 
become thoroughly acquainted with the Indian lan- 
guage, customs, etc., etc. They were finally, through 
the interposition of some French residents at that 
place, liberated, the father remaining a permanent 
resident of that city. In 1798, at the age of eighteen 
years, William Connor left his paternal hearth-stone 
and sought to carve out for himself his own fortune, 
and with this view he settled at Saginaw Bay and 
there commenced trading with the Indians. At this 
early period of Western history the trader was both a 
traveler and a hunter. To lay in his stock of goods 



it was necessary to make long and wearisome jour- 
neys through the forest upon horseback, and the trans- 
portation of his goods was eflfected upon pack-horses. 
In his journeyings his eye was attracted by the nat- 
ural beauty of scenery, the richness of the soil, the 
abundance of game of the fur-bearing species, and the 
commanding locality of Hamilton County (Indiana), 
and in 1802 he settled in a beautiful prairie, which 
has ever since borne his name (located a little below 
Noblesville). Here he established a trading post, 
which for many years was the great central mart at 
which the various tribes inhabiting central Indiana 
did their trading. 

o 

At what time John Conner left Detroit and where 
he first began his trading with the Indians is not 
known to the writer. It may be that he accompanied 
his brother William, for the Hon. Elijah Hackleman, 
of Wabash, in a contribution of " Reminiscences " to 
the Rushville Republican in 1884, speaks of the two 
as building. a trading house in what is now Franklin 
County, in the early history of the Whitewater Val- 
ley. Whether the two were together or not, it is rea- 
sonable to presume that as each followed the same 
business in those early times, they were at least in 
intercourse with each other. 

The first definite knowledge we have of John Con- 
ner's presence in the Whitewater country is given in 
the writings of Rev. Allen Wiley, heretofore spoken 
of. In speaking of the year 180-1 Mr. Wiley says: 
"Three-quarters of a mile above Big Cedar Grove 
Creek, Mr. John Conner, an Indian trader, had a 
store kept by a Frenchman, hence the store was called 
the French store." 

William McClure, from whom we have elsewhere 
quoted, as nearly as we can judge of the year 1807, 
writes: " John Conner and Pilkey, Indian traders, 
had a store in the bottom, where John T. Cooley for- 
merly lived." And the author of the "History of 
Franklin County " says of this store: "There is little 
doubt b^^t this trading post was the first white man's 
establishment within the limits of the county. No 
traditions of an earlier one are found among the peo- 
ple of to-day." 

The next point for consideration is the establish- 
ment of the trading-post of Conner, or Conner & 
Pilkey, further north in Fayette County, on the site of 
the city of Connersville. From what has been said 
above Conner is known to have been above Big Cedar 
Grove Creek in 1804, and probably in 1807, but the 
time of his removal or abandonment of that post for 
the one further up on the frontier can only be arrived 
at by tradition. Thomas Simpson, now a resident of 
the county, aged eighty-four years, with a clear mem- 
ory and vivid recollection of the past, is authority for 
the saying that John Conner had his trading-post 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



37 



here at Connersville in the year 1808. Mr. Simpson's 
father was through the county at that time, and found 
Conner here; so it is fair to conclude that the post 
was established here some time between 1804 and 1808. 

About the first of the present century the Conners 
were found among the most expert Indian traders of 
Indiana Territory, and soon attracted the attention of 
Gov. Harrison, who in his intercourse with the Indians 
employed them as interpreters. As early as 1805, at 
the treaty of Grouseland, August 1, we find that John 
Conner acted in that capacity. From that time on to 
the treaty of Wabash, October 23, 1826, and during 
the interval, in which ten treaties had been held with 
the Indians, one and sometimes both of these gentle- 
men were employed as interpreters, and during the 
war William Conner was the principal military inter- 
preter of Gov. Harrison. 

After the battle of the Thames, in which he was 
engaged, he was specially deputied by Gen. Harrison 
to recognize the body of Tecumseh, with whom he 
had long been acquainted. 

John Conner is said to have had for a wife an 
Indian woman and a son by the name of James, a 
half-blood. The Indian wife died about the close of 
the last war with England, and he then married 
Lavina, daughter of Jabez Winship, who lived on 
Little Cedar Grove. In 1813 he laid out the town of 
Connersville, and had, as early as 1810, a grist and 
sawmill in operation near the trading-post, which 
was probably two hundred yards up the branch from 
the A. B. Conwell mill building, on Eastern Avenue. 
In 1816 he served in the State Senate, and was the 
first Senator for this county and the first Sheriflf. 
He was an active business man in early Connersville 
carrying on milling, farming and merchandising. 
He removed from the village he had founded to the 
vicinity of Noblesville, this State, in 1823, and, it is 
said, some years later died while on a trip or visit to 
the city of Indianapolis, which city he had, in com- 
pany with nine others, selected and located the per- 
manent seat of justice of the State. 

Concerning the Conners, we give the following from 
the pen of Hon. Samuel W. Parker, written in 1855: 

"Some twenty-five years ago, a stranger of venera- 
ble and martial appearance by the name of Rankin, 
from Kentucky, passing through the country 
stopped and dined at Sample's Hotel, now the Bate's 
House in this town, where I was then boarding. 
The name of our town reminding the stranger of his 
old friends, the Conners, he inquired after John and 
William, evidently with much interest; he then 
observed that ho had made their acquaintance during 
the late war with Great Britain, and knew them well; 
remarked that in a perilous march he made under 
Gen. Harrison up toward the lakes, the Conners were 



selected for the guides of the army; that they had a 
deep stream to cross over a difficult and dangerous 
ford, where the Indian ambuscade was apprehended; 
that Gen. Harrison came to him before they entered 
the stream, and observed: 'I think those Conners 
are true, but some -stories to their prejudice have 
come to my ears, and from the fact that they have 
been among the British and Indians the most of their 
days, I must confess to enough of suspicion to be on 
the lookout. They say they understand this ford, 
and can and will conduct us safely over. If they 
could be in league with the enemy and betray us, 
here is the place for it to be done. Do you fol- 
low close after them with your hand upon your hol- 
sters, and should they for a moment lead us into 
water too deep for fording, shoot them down.' They 
entered the stream, Rankin close after, and the whole 
army following. Near the middle the horses of the 
guides stepped into a deep place. In an instant, 
both exclaimed, as Rankin's cocked pistol was pre- 
sented: ^Hold! the ford is changed. We' II be right 
in a moment!' In a moment they were right again, 
and all got safely over. 'And that moment,' said 
the narrator, 'saved the life of the proprietor of your 
town, and his brother, William; whom,' said he, 'I 
afterward found to be as true and noble Americans 
as ever I knew.' " 

Mr. Parker remarked that the incident was given 
as substantially received, saying: "I can't vouch for 
its authenticity, having never seen or heard of it else- 
where; nor seen nor heard of the strange Kentuckian 
before or since, but I know of no reason to question 
its accuracy." 

In 1808-09, Thomas Simpson, Sr., a native of 
Maryland, was employed as hunter to, and accom- 
panied the surveying party, while they were engaged 
in surveying the lands of the "Twelve-Mile Pur- 
chase," at which time he traversed the territory of 
the county throughoiit, and in the month of Decem- 
ber, 1809, removed his family to a cabin house, 
which had previously been erected for the surveying 
party, and stood on what is now the northeastern 
part of Jennings Township. 

Daniel Green, it is said, while prospecting for 
land further south, in what is now Franklin County, 
in the year 1809, was attracted by the sound of a 
cowbell, and on following its sound he came to a 
cabin, occupied by John Eagan and family, situated 
along the river in what is now Jackson Township, 
some little distance south of the bridge over the river 
at Nulltown. Mr. Eagan was an Irishman, but came 
from Maryland here, and both he and Simpson 
remained permanent settlers. 

At what time the Eagan settlement was made is not 
now known, yet it is quite probable that it did not 



38 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



precede the trading-post of Conner. The account of 
this settlement is purely traditional and the date un- 
supported by family record or other history, so far as 
we can learn; yet it is not at all improbable, as John 
Eagan and his brother William were very early set- 
tlers along the river, the former entering land in 
Jackson Township in 1811. 

The settlements of Conner and Simpson are the 
earliest made in the county of which anything defi- 
nite or satisfactory can be ascertained. 

Family traditions concerning the early settlements 
often confound the date of the tirst visit of a pioneer 
to his lands, or the date of his purchase, with that of 
his settlement. Many of the pioneer settlers of the 
county tirst stopped in the county south (Franklin), 
and subsequently moved further north and made set- 
tlements within the present limits of Fayette County. 
Family traditions of such frequently confound these 
dates. 

From known facts we can safely assume that there 
were few settlers within the present limits of the 
county prior to 1811, at which time the tide of immi- 
gration set in. 

The details of the early settlements belong to the 
several townships, where they will be found. 

PIONEER LIFE. 

The first dwellings of the pioneers were the round- 
log-cabins, constructed as follows: Round logs of 
proper size were selected, notched at the ends, the 
spaces between the logs being filled in with pieces of 
wood and daubed with clay. The roof was made by 
laying small logs or stout poles, reaching from gable 
to gable, suitable distances apart, on which were laid 
the split clap-boards after the manner of shingling, 
showing two feet or more to the weather. These 
clap-boards were fastened by laying across them 
heavy poles, called weight poles, reaching from one 
gable to the other. The floor was of puncheons split 
from logs several inches in thickness, hewed on the 
upper side. The chimney was made of sticks laid 
up cob-houso fashion, gradually narrowed in at the 
top and plastered with clay. For a window, a small 
opening was made and greased paper, for admitting 
light, was pasted over it. The door was of clap- 
boards hung on wooden hinges. Such a house was 
built by a neighborhood gathering, with no tools but 
the axe and the frow, and often was completed in a 
single day. 

The internal arrangements of one of these rude 
dwellings has thus been described: "The door is 
opened by pulling a leather string that lifts a wooden 
latch on the inside. (The inmates made themselves 
secure in the night season by pulling the string in.) 
On entering it (it being meal-time) we find a portion 



of the family sitting around a large chest in which 
their valuables had beeu brought, but which now 
serves as a table from which they are partaking their 
plain meal, cooked by a log-heap tire. In one corner 
of the room are two or more clap- boards on wooden 
pins, displaying the table-ware, consisting of a few 
cups and saucers, and a few blue-edged plates, with 
a goodly number of pewter plates, perhaps standing 
singly on their edges, leaning against the wall, to 
render the display of table furniture more conspicu- 
ous. Underneath this cupboard are seen a few pots 
and perhaps a Dutch oven. Not many chairs having 
been brought in, the deficiency has been supplied 
with stools made of puncheon boards, with three legs. 
Over the doorway lies the indispensable rifle on two 
wooden hooks, probably taken from a dog- wood bush 
and nailed to a log of the cabin. Upon the inner 
walls hang divers garments of female attire, made of 
cotton and woolen fabrics, and, perhaps, one or two 
blue and white calico dresses which had done long 
service in the Carolinas before their transportation 
hither." 

Rev. William C. Smith, in his " Indiana Miscella- 
nies," thus speaks of one way of lighting these primi- 
tive homes: "During the day the door of the cabin 
was kept open to alford light, and at night, through 
the winter season, light was emitted from the fire- 
place, where huge logs were kept burning. Candles 
and lamps were out of the question for a few years. 
When these came into use they were purely domestic 
in their manufacture. Candles were prepared by 
taking a wooden rod some ten or twelve inches in 
length, wrapping a strip of cotton or linen around it, 
then covering it with tallow pressed on with the hand. 
These "sluts," as they were sometimes called, 
answered the purpose of a very large candle, and 
afforded light for several nights. Lamps were pre- 
pared by dividing a large turnip in the middle, 
scraping out the inside quite down to the rind, then 
inserting a stick, say three inches in length, in the 
center, so that it would stand upright. A strip of 
cotton or linen cloth was then wrapped around it, and 
melted lard or deer's tallow was poured in till the 
turnip rind was full, when the lamp was ready for 
use. By the light of these during the long winter 
evenings the women spun and sewed, and the men 
read when books could be obtained. When neither 
lard nor tallow could be had, the large blazing fire 
supplied the needed light. By these great fire-places 
many cuts of thread have been spun, many a yard of 
linsey woven, and many a frock and buckskin panta- 
loons made." The second-class dwelling was the 
hewed-log-house, more pretentious in looks and more 
comfortable. These could be made as comfortable as 
any kind of building. Log-cabin raisings and log- 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



39 



rollings were occasions of great social intercourse. 
Preparations for such occasions were made in advance 
of the appointed day; trees were selected and felled, 
the logs dragged in, the skids and forks made ready 
and the foundations laid. At the time fixed upon for 
the raising the neighbors assembled for miles around, 
captains were chosen and the work progressed with 
great dispatch, and amid much glee and merriment, 
iintil the walls were up and the roof weighted down. 

The land of this region in its primitive state was 
covered with heavy timber, beneath which was an 
undergrowth of various kinds, such as spicewood, 
leatherwood, elderberry and some bearing fruits, as 
grapes, pluma, gooseberries, pawpaws, crab apples, 
etc., with plenty of nettles, grass, peavine and weeds 
in the summer. 

The labor of opening up a farm was no little 
task; the trees were to be felled, the branches severed 
from their trunks, and the underbrush gathered 
together for burning. The trunks of the large trees 
were to be divided and rolled together and reduced to 
ashes. It is said with hard labor the unaided settler 
could clear and burn an acre of ground in three weeks. 

Different methods and practices of clearing land 
have been resorted to» by the pioneer of different 
localities. In some States it was the custom to cut 
down all the timber at lirst, but this did not prevail 
here. The bushes were either cut down or grubbed 
out, and the smaller trees were chopped down. The 
large trees were left standing, and "deadened" by 
girdling. On this subject Dr. Mason, who settled in 
the county in 1816, says: "I had a fine creek bottom 
of some ten acres, a portion of which had been 
grubbed of the underbrush, and I determined upon 
clearing and fencing five acres of it to put into corn. 
The timber had been deadened and was light, except 
some large sycamore trees. Around those I piled 
brush'and built tires, and in this way killed most of 
them." 

Flax was cultivated and sheep raised, and there- 
from by the spinning-wheel and hand-loom wearing 
apparel manufactured. Carding wool by hand was 
not uncommon. "Both men and women were clad in 
linen and linsey, all of their own manufacture. Some 
wore buck-skin breeches and moccasins, but they gen- 
erally had linen for every -day wear, and a man was 
fortunate who could get 'six hundred linen' for shirts 
and pantaloons for Sunday. The women would color 
the linen thread with copperas, or some cheap dye, and 
stripe or cross their dresses, and when they got them 
on they were about as proud and put on as many airs 
as they do at the present day. Once in awhile one 
of the more fortunate ones would get hold of six 
yards of calico, which was a full pattern in those 
days, and when they got it made up with two strings 



sewed on to the waist behind, and brought before and 
tied, it would do you good to see them spread them- 
selves, and unless a man had jilenty of dollars he 
could not shine with them." 

The breaking up of ground and cultivation of crops 
was attended with difficulty. The bar-share and 
shovel plows, and later the bull plow with wooden 
mouldboard, husk collars and tug, and rope traces and 
withs; the sickle lirst, then the cradle and scythe, and 
threshing with a flail or treading out with horses, and 
cleaned by means of a sheet by the aid of several per- 
sons, characterized the implements of farming. 

Almost the only modes of travel in those times 
were on foot or on horseback. Corn and wheat were 
taken to the mill on horseback; friends and relatives 
in the distant East were visited on horseback. Salt 
iron and such other commodities as were indispensable 
were frequently carried by means of pack-horses: and 
often settlers came to their forest homes by this 
moans. Lawyers and preachers made the circuit in 
this way, and the roads were mere paths with notched 
or blazed trees as a guide. 

The procuring of bread was often a hardship to the 
pioneer; mills in early times were few and far between 
and of rude construction, making it often a journey 
of miles through an almost trackless forest and over 
bridgeless streams, the trip fraught with danger on 
every hand. 

At the time of its settlement this region was in- 
habited by deer, wolf, bear, wild cat, fox, otter, por- 
cupine; occasionally a panther, turkey, raccoon, 
skunk, mink, rattlesnake and blacksnake. 

Almost countless numbers of squirrels were to be 
found in the woods and great watchfulness was re- 
quired on the part of the settler to protect his corn- 
fields from destruction both from these and other ani- 
mals, and from birds. Blackbirds in large flocks were 
destructive to the corn while yet soft, and later on the 
raccoon and squirrel. Squirrel hunts were frequent 
and prizes paid in corn to those killing the greatest 
number. We have before us a paper showing the 
names of persons engaged in a squirrel hunt on the 
11th and 12th of August, 1820, with the number of 
squirrels killed by each and the number of bushels 
of corn each received. The number killed was 502. 

The social gatherings were attended by all, the 
settlers were mutually dependent upon each other, 
and more hospitality was the result. As we have 
heretofore remarked, at the log-rollings and house- 
raisings the whole neighborhood was present, and at 
the quiltings and huskings the same spirit was char- 
acteristic. The long winter evenings were spent in 
contentment, but not in idleness. 

In speaking of pioneer days in this county Hon. 
Samuel Little, of Nebraska, thus wrote in 1879: 



40 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



"To recount the toils of the past, enumerate the 
privations and note the pleasures of pioneer life in 
Fayette County, and contrast the ' then ' of the past 
with the ' now ' of the present, must produce a glow 
of honest pride in the breasts of the aged few who 
yet remain to recount the past and survey the present. 

' ' Each of you for self can look at the present as 
it lies before you, and I will not attempt to picture 
it, but hope to recall somewhat of the condition of 
the county in 1833, when I located among you. 

"That portion of the county lying east of the 
' old boundary line' being settled ten years earlier 
than the west side, had nearly passed the stage of 
log-cabins. Every farm had its occupant, many had 
comfortable frame or brick dwellings, and some had 
barns and fruit-bearing orchards; but nearly all the 
improvements on our western border were of a primi- 
tive character, and it is mainly of this part of the 
county, in which I lived for forty-throe years,. I 
would speak. 

"Farms ranged in size from a forty-acre tract to 
a quarter section, and nearly all of them had some 
improvement. The log-cabin was the prevailing 
dwelling, and it was almost alivays surrounded by a 
cleared patch, or deadening, ripening for the lire, 
by whose agency it was cleared up for the plow. So 
dense was the forest that the only evidences of other 
occupied farms near by was the sound of the ax, the 
crowing fowls or barking watch-dog. 

" Paths leading from cabin to cabin passed around 
large trees or logs and over streamlets, led us through 
the tangle of spice-wood or pawpaw in our neighbor- 
ly visits, and highways were marked out and cordu- 
roy bridges bore us over marshes on our way to mar- 
ket, public worship, or to mill in our wagons, up hill 
and down the same, and through streams, which were 
all without bridges. The stumps, roots and logs gave 
the beaten track a serpentine direction, which re- 
quired great skill in the teamster. If Levi Conwell 
were here he could tell you all about it, or if you ask 
Uncle Billy Simpson how he used to freight A. B. 
Conwell's whisky and flour to Cincinnati and return 
with a load of store goods, he can describe it better 
than I can. Pork and the articles named were our 
staple productions. Cincinnati was our only market. 
Our pork was driven on foot, requiring an average of 
eight days to roach our destination, three to close out 
the sale, and two more to return. The entire trip 
consumed about two weeks' time. Wheat sold in Cin- 
cinnati in 1834 at 50 cents per bushel, flour for 
$2.75 per barrel, and Uncle Abe can give you the 
price of whisky; as I did not handle it my memory is 
at fault. We got but little money, and we spent lit- 
tle. Our food grew on our farms, and our clothing 
was mostly home made, growing in the flax patch or 



on the sheep's back, and its manufacture was mostly 
domestic. The flax-pulling and wool-picking were 
frequently done by combination or neighborhood 
frolics, and were occasions of great social pleasure. 
There are mothers present who could tell how they 
used to race with their sweet-hearts at the flax-pull- 
ings, and some of them recollect how the points of 
their fingers ached after pulling the burs and stick- 
tights out of the wool. Yes, and how they enjoyed 
their trip on foot to the spelling-match or singing- 
school with their boaux by their side, just to help 
them over the fences and mud holes. Or, perchance, 
they rode behind on the same horse, so that if the 
horse stumbled they could hold on! I can answer 
for the other sex that a girl behind me on a stumbling 
horse was rather awkward, but not at all unpleasant. 
"Don't you grand-dames recollect how the flyers of 
the flax wheel hummed whilst your gent sat by you, 
or how your bare feet tripped over the puncheon floor 
to the sound of the big wheel as you drew out those 
long threads of yarn which were to be converted into 
the winter's wear. I assure you it was a pleasure to 
sit by whilst the shuttle flew from hand to hand as 
that yarn grew into cloth. The wheel and loom did 
not sound so refined as the organ and the piano, but 
their product was far more useful. Most families 
were thus clothed. We used but little tea or coffee, 
and the sugar camp furnished our sweets. Our log- 
rollings, house-raisings and harvesting cultivated a 
social spirit and placed us all on an equality, as we 
were mutually dependent. Men and women did their 
own work with but little hired help. Wages were 
low (from 110 to $12 per month), but money was 
scarce. I reaped with a reaping-hook, in the harvest 
of 1834 for 62J cents per day, and cradled the fol- 
lowing harvest for $1 per day. Our farm tools were 
quite simple, but cost but little money. We used the 
'bull' plow with wooden mould-board and iron 
share for turning the soil, and the single shovel- 
plow for cultivating the crop. This, with a swingle- 
tree and harness, trace-chains and back- band, fur- 
nished out our rig. We had no cultivators, single or 
double, nor riding plows. We had never seen a 
reaper, or mower, nor could we have used them among 
the stamps. Nor had we any threshing machines. 
Our small grain was threshed out by flail or tramped 
out by horses on an earthen floor prepared for the 
purpose, and cleaned by a fanning mill with wooden 
cogs. The fall season was mostly occupied in burn- 
ing off the rubbish of our deadenings, and keeping 
our ' niggers ' busy in preparing the logs for rolling 
in the spring. Our logs were rolled into heaps and 
burned in the spring, the rails or fencing having been 
made during the intervening winter. Stormy days 
and winter nights were used to make and repair the 










^^AO^ / 



a^ 



^^6c.^-t^ Sf ^^^-^-e^-^ 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



43 



family shoes from leather tanned in our county, and 
largely made by the farmers at their own firesides, 
which were wide and warmed by a bountiful supply 
of fuel. If some of you old folks will mentally take 
an inventory of an average dwelling of those days, 
you would lind as a part of its appendages a shoe- 
bench, with needed tools, spinning-wheels, for flax 
and wool. The hand loom and warping-bars, the 
wash-tub, in which the clothes were cleansed without 
even a washboard, the Dutch oven, in which the corn- 
pone and chicken-pie were baked, and by its side a 
dinner-pot, skillet and tea-kettle, but no cook stove. 
A Bible and some school-books, added to some furni- 
ture of home-make, almost complete the picture. The 
active men and women here today were born and 
reared in just this kind of place. Our streams were 
bridgeless; our commerce had neither turnpikes nor 
railroads; our business was done without telegraph, 
and we talked without telephones, and when you take 
a survey of your surroundings, the present generation, 
your offspring, your rich and beautiful farms, villages, 
cities, and their manufactories, together with all 
your moral, social and religious advantages, don't 
you think that we did well, and don't you join me in 
the wish that our children may do better? " 

FRIENDLY AND HOSTILE INDIANS. 

At the dawning of civilization upon the White- 
water country, the series of conflicts with the Indi- 
ans that had been carried on to the east throughout 
the Northwest Territory for a long period of years had 
hardly been allayed; and the early settlers were for a 
time considerably annoyed by the Indians. The pio- 
neer was frightened by open menaces and actual mur- 
ders. The Rev. W. C. Smith, author of "Indiana 
Miscellanies," recollects of having heard an Indian 
relate the first one of several instances of his taking 
the lives of white persons. At the age of about four- ■ 
teen, he was permitted to accompany a party of 
"braves" going to a white settlement to scalp and 
plunder, on a promise that he would be brave. The 
first night he and another young Indian were sent to 
reconnoitre a cabin. They returned and reported 
that there were in it but a man and woman. They 
were ordered to go back and kill them. They returned 
to the cabin, and shot through an opening of the 
jambs, entered the cabin and scalped them, and 
returned to their comrades with the bloody trophies. 
We quote again from Mr. Wiley, whom it will be 
remembered settled in the Whitewater country in 
180-1: " In all the upper Whitewater country, the Abo- 
rigines were numerous and used to come among us for 
trafiic, but their great headquarters for that purpose 
was the before- mentioned store owned by Mr. Conner. 
When they visited us they behaved civilly, and we 



had no difficulty with them at that time." Through- 
out the valley horse-stealing and other depredations 
were occasionally committed by them. 

A campaign against the Indians was inaugurated 
by the United States Government in 1811, and on the 
7th of November of that year the battle of Tip- 
pecanoe was fought under Gen. Harrison. The 
settlements along Whitewater were frontier posts, 
and ere the declaration of war against Great Britain 
was proclaimed, blockhouses were built extending 
along the main stream and each branch and point of 
settlement further west, through what are now Frank- 
lin, Fayette, Union and Wayne, and perhaps other 
counties. Beginning at the south there was a block- 
house about half a mile above Johnson's Fork on the 
bank of the river; one three and a half miles below 
Brookville on the farm of Conrad Sailors; one each 
on Pipe and Salt Creeks, and perhaps several on 
West Fork' Ijefore entering' what is now Fayette 
County; several on East Fork extending through 
Franklin and Union Counties, one of which, an 
important one too, was located where the village of 
Brownsville now is, in the vicinity of which a com- 
pany of volunteers had been raised under Capt. Myers 
and performed service on the frontier. There stood 
a block-house just below Nulltown, one in the north- 
ern part of Harrison Township, and several through 
Wayne County. Maj. Helm, who resided near the 
block-house at Nulltown, was in command along the 
frontier. It is not presumed that at each of these 
several block-houses were garrisoned United States 
soldiers; the fi-ontier was somewhat guarded, and 
perhaps for a time might have been stationed at the 
larger and more outward posts, troops. While the 
settlers resorted to this means of defense or protec- 
tion, we believe no engagements or encounters at 
them ever occurred with the Indians, especially within 
the limits of Fayette County. During the war Indian 
alarms were frequent and the settlers were kept con- 
stantly in a state of disquiet. Rev. Mr. Smith, in 
giving a description of one of these block-houses 
says, " They were made of two rows (sometimes but 
one row) of split timbers, twelve to fourteen feet long, 
planted in the ground two and a half or three feet deep. 
The timbers of the second row were so placed as to 
cover the tracks of the first. Small cabins were 
erected inside of the stojkades for the accommoda- 
tion of the families; usually one block-house was 
built in each fort. These block-houses were two-sto- 
ries high, the upper story projecting over the lower, 
say two feet, with port holes in the floor of the pro- 
jection, so that the men could see to shoot the Indi- 
ans if they succeeded in getting to the walls of the 
block-house. There were also port holes in the walls 
of the upper and lower stories, through which shoot- 



44 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



ing of much execution could be performed as the foe 
was advaneinfj." 

Several murders committed by the Indians oc- 
curred throughout the Whitewater Valley, but none, 
we believe, happened within the limits of Fayette 
County. Says the author of the "Wayne County 
History" published in 1872, "In 1811 John Short- 
ridge was shot by an Indian south of the present town 
of Germantown and about a mile east of Milton, 
while riding on horseback, in company with George 
Ish. This, however, is said to have been done by mis- 
take. The Indian had had some difficulty with a man 
by the name of Isaac Drury. Shortridge, having on 
Drury's overcoat, was mistaken for the owner, and 
shot on his white horse. He was carried about a mile 
to a fort which had been built half a mile south of 
whore Germantown now is. Word having been sent 
to the fort north (Boyd Fort), Samuel K. Boyd and 
Larkin Harding went down and attended Shortridge 
until his death the next day. For the want of boards 
to make a coffin, puncheon floor planks were used for 
the purpose. " 

Two men, Tune and Stafford, were killed by the 
Indians in what is now Franklin County in the 
spring of 1813. Mr. McClure in his notes speaks of 
the killing as having occurred at the same time while 
they were engaged in burning brush on Salt Creek. 
The date of the murder as fixed by Hon. Elijah 
Hackleman was MarehU3, 1813. 

Charles Morgan, residing near the stream now 
called Morgan's Creek, and two boys or youths, his 
half-brothers, named Beesly, were killed near a 
sugar-camp by Indians in the evening. The leader or 
principal in this murder is supposed — perhaps gen- 
erally — to have been the notorious Indian, John 
Green. This supposition is probably based upon the 
fact that a mutual hatred existed between him and 
Morgan. The writer has been'informed upon author- 
ity which he cannot doubt, that Morgan, under the 
apprehension that Green was meditating his murder, 
intended to take the life of Green in order to save 
his own, and that he once started from home with the 
avowed intent of waylaying his adversary for this 
purpose. Although Green had probable designs 
against Morgan, and perhaps was accessory to the 
murder, there is strong presumptive evidence that he 
was not present when it was committed^. The sus- 
pected murderers, four in number, were traced toward 
Muncietown and overtaken, and one of them shot; the 
others escaped. Morgan and ,his brothers were all 
scalped. The murder was committed in the spring 
of 1813. This occurrence induced many families to 
take shelter in the forts erected for their protection. 
— A. W. Young. 

Mr. Hackleman fixes the date of this murder on 



the same night, March 13, 1813, with that of Staf- 
ford and Tune, and remarks: "Early next morning 
the militia of the vicinity, under Maj. William Holm, 
were on the trail of the Indians, but were unsuccess- 
ful, as they were never able to overtake them. A 
few weeks afterward a part of Capt. Brysoa's com- 
pany had a brush with some Delaware Indians near 
Strawtown, where Morgan's tent and clothes were 
found in the deserted camp. " 

Below is given an account of the captivity and 
subsequent life of Miss Tharp, which occurred in 
Fayette County, as narrated by Hon. Elijah Hackle- 
man, of Wabash, Ind., in 1884: 

" With the history of this captivity I am but lit- 
tle acquainted, as I do not recollect ever seeing the 
same in print. And yet, from my earliest recollec- 
tions, the story was as familiar in every family in 
southeastern Indiana as household words. Moses 
Tharp lived somewhere in the upper valley of the 
Whitewater. On the fatal evening, his children were 
playing near his cabin, when suddenly his little girl 
mysteriously disappeared, and was nowhere to be 
found, although diligent search was made. On close 
examination by expert pioneer hunters, fresh ' signs ' 
of Indians wore discovered, and the trail was fol- 
lowed to the White River country, to the vicinity of 
Muncietown. There appeared to be no doubt that 
the girl had been stolen by the Indians. She was 
never recaptured. After the close of the war, when 
peace was restored, Mr. Tharp spent several years of 
hia life in hunting for his lost child. He visited 
most of the Indian tribes in the north part of the 
Territory, under the guise of an Indian trader, but 
specially for the purpose of discovering the location 
of the object of his affections. His efforts were not 
crowned with success, until the girl had grown up to 
womanhood and had married Capt. Dixon, a Miami 
Indian, who was living at the mouth of Grant 
Creek, on the Mississinawa River, near the old Josi- 
nia Village, in Wabash County, two miles west of 
Ashland. Here Mr. Tharp and his wife finally dis- 
covered and recognized their long-lost daughter some 
time after her marriage with Capt. Dixon. 

"I have been informed by Hon. Jacob L. Sailors, 
of Wabash County, who was a neighbor of Capt. 
Dixon, on Grant Creek, that about forty years ago, 
he (Sailors) recollects of Mr. and Mrs. Tharp visiting 
their daughter at Capt. Dixon's for a few days. 
What finally became of Mr. Tharp I am not informed; 
but I have heard it stated that ho spent the decline 
of life somewhere in the Wabash valley. 

" This Capt. Dixon was a thriftless, quarrelsome 
Indian, when drunk, and spent most of his time in 
drinking and fighting, at such places as he could 
procure whisky. But Miss Tharp (or, rather, Mrs. 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



45 



Dixon), although uneducated, was kind and affection- 
ate with her family, and polite and lady-like with 
her white neighbors. Mrs. Dixon manifested a 
desire to have her children educated, and did for a 
time send her son, Charlie Dixon, to a school, taught 
by Mr. Sailors, in the vicinity, where he made some 
progress in reading and writing. I have often seen 
the Captain and Mrs. Dixon at their Indian home. 

"Finally, about the year 1851 or 1852, in one of 
his drunken fights with a Pottawattomie Indian, in the 
town of Ashland, Capt. Dixon received a blow with a 
hoe, that happened to be near by, cutting his head 
open. The wound was dressed by my friend, Dr. E. 
D. Mauzy — then of Ashland, but now of Oakland, 
Cal., — and although it was a terrible wound, the 
Doctor expressed his opinion that if the patient could 
be kept perfectly still, there would be a chance for 
his recovery. 

"The Indians then in town wanted to take Capt. 
Dixon home the same evening, but Dr. Mauzy told 
them that he would die before reaching his home, 
although it was only about two miles distant. The 
next morning, however, the Indians came in great 
numbers, and demanded that he should be taken 
home immediately. Of course no resistance was 
made. The Captain was put on a sled, and when 
last seen, was going pretty lively over the rough 
roals. The journey was accomplished in good time, 
but on reaching'the wigwam, it was found that Capt. 
Dixon was cold and stiff in death. 

"About this time — I am not sure whether it was 
before the death of Capt. Dixon or afterward — Miss 
Tharp, the wife of Capt. Dixon, in a lit of despon- 
dency, left her Indian home, and walked down to the 
Mississinawa River, a half mile distant, to a place 
called 'Hog Back.' This romantic spot is caused 
by a long detour of the river, then coming around 
with a long sweejj into conjunction with Grant 
Creek, which runs within eighty feet of the waters of 
the Mississinawa above the detour, and then flowing 
off and joining the waters below, enclosing several 
hundred acres of land. Between these two waters is 
a rugged hill or ridge, eighty feet high and one 
hundred yards long, bearing the euphonious name 
above noted. Here Miss Tharp, the captive white 
woman, paused a few moments, and then deliberately 
plunged into the blue waters of the Mississinawa 
River, and was seen no more alive. And here let the 
grief, anguish and melancholy aching of a heart as 
pure as yours or mine remain forever." 

On the above subject many years ago in the vil- 
lage of Lebanon, Ohio, Rev. David Sharpe, who as a 
Methodist preacher traveled the old Whitewater Cir- 
cuit in 1813, remarked to a resident of Connorsville 
" that he preached occasionally at Tharp's, near the 



river, about one and one-half miles above Conners- 
ville. At one of his visits, in the fall or winter of 
1813-14, while sitting in the cabin with Mr. and 
Mrs. Tharp, they were startled by the screaming of 
the children, who were out playing between the 
house and the river. As they all ran toward the 
river, they met the youngest two children crying and 
running to the house; they heard the screams of the 
oldest, a little girl some eight years old, as if she 
was being carried off. They followed, but the voice 
became more and more faint, and soon they lost the 
trail. The Indians had made their escape with the 
child." 

The territory in the western portion of the coun- 
ty belonging to the Indians until in 1818, Con- 
nersville and the settlements to the west were strictly 
speaking on the frontier, and from the fact of the 
long established post by Conner, both below and on 
the present site of the city, the county and neighbor- 
ing territory were often the scene of many bands of 
wandering tribes of Indians, whither they had come 
principally to barter their furs and exchange traffic at 
the " post," and, perhaps, in the earlier period, to 
hunt and fish. Conner was a great man among them, 
and exerted considerable influence over them, and the 
post was an attractive place. Mr. Conner when 
dressed in their costume, and painted, it was diffi- 
cult to distinguish him from a real savage. On one 
occasion, says Oliver H. Smith, he came to Anderson- 
town (Franklin County), then the lodge of a large 
band of Indians, under Chief Anderson. He was 
dressed and painted as a Shawnee, and pretended to 
be a representative of Tecumseh. As is usual with 
the Indians, he took his seat on a log barely in sight 
of the Indian encampment, quietly smoked his pipe, 
waiting the action of Anderson and his under chiefs. 
After an hour he saw approaching the old chief him- 
self, in full dress, smoking his pipe. I give his 
language. " As the old chief walked up to me I rose 
from my seat, looked him in the eyes, we exchanged 
pipes, and walked down to the lodge smoking, with- 
out saying a word. I was pointed to a boar skin, 
took my seat, with my back to the chiefs. A few 
minutes after, I noticed an Indian by the name of 
Gillaway, who knew me well, eying me closely. I 
tried to evade his glance, when he bawled out in the 
Indian language, at the top of his voice, interpreted: 
'You great Shawnee Indian, you John Conner.' The 
next moment the camp was in a perfect roar of laugh- 
ter. Chief Anderson ran up to me, throwing off his 
dignity: ' You great representative of Tecumseh,' and 
burst out in a loud laugh." 

Indian trails or paths crossed the county leading 
from the trading post to their villages to the north 
and northwest, among which was the one located in 



46 



HISTORY OF FAYETTP] COUNTY. 



the center of the " Thorntown lloservation," in Boone 
County, and another at Oldtown, near the jjresent city 
of Muncie. In the early history of the territory the 
site of Waterloo is supposed to have been an Indian 
camp. In 1808-09 a band of Indians were encamped 
along Simpson's Creek in northern Jennings Town- 
ship, in the vicinity of the spring still there; and in 
the neighborhood was located an Indian place of 
burial. 

The pioneers of Fayette County were not molested 
or troubled to any considerable extent by the presence 
of these wandering red men, saving a little occa- 
sional thieving, although subjected now and then to 
a fright. As late as 1820 Oliver H. Smith remarks 
that " Connersville was filled with them every day." 
At a period not much later than this, they were un- 
frequent visitors. We judge that the Indians of 
this locality during the early settlement of the 
valley belonged to the Delaware and Pottawat- 
tomie families. Numerous traditionary accounts of 
thieving Indians in this section have come to our 
ear during the investigation of this subject, and the 
accounts of the killing of several of them, but as 
nothing definite or satisfactory could be obtained 
relative thereto, a narration is withheld. Concernino' 
the disappearance or killing of Chief Ben Davis, who 
was one of the Delaware tribes of Indians, and had 
located in the Whitewater country, and was there 
residing during the early settlement of the country, 
and after whom was called the stream still bearing 
that name, in Kush County, the name of which chief 
was for years a household word throughout the val- 
ley, is given below the account as published in the 
Rushville Republican some years ago, written by Dr. 
John Arnold, of that city, an old and highly esteemed 
pioneer of that vicinity: 

" Personally Ben Davis was a large and powerful 
Indian warrior, a deadly foe to the whites; and he 
had frequently led his braves on raids into the dark 
and bloody ground — the debatable land of Kentucky. 
In most of the battles for the possession of the pres- 
ent States of Ohio and Indiana, he had taken an 
active part. He was true to his friends, implacable 
to his foes, fond of firewater, and when under its 
influence, regardless of his surroundings, would boast 
of his prowess, and the number of scalps he had taken. 
In shprt, he was a representative man of his race, a fair 
type of the brave, crafty and boastful Indian warrior. 

''After the defeat of the Indians at Tippecanoe, 



they were compelled to sell their lands, and again 
move westward. But Old Ben Davis, although well 
aware that he was looked upon with dislike and sus- 
picion, by the white settlers, still, occasionally revis- 
ited his former hunting-grounds. In the year 1820 
he had encamped on Blue Creek, some three miles 
from Brook vi lie. He had been there, perhaps a 
week, daily visiting the town and drinking too much 
whisky. One day in the Widow Adair's tavern, he 
was boasting of his bloody deeds, unmindful of the 
angry glances of the crowd around him, and among 
other things how he with his band surprised a lonely 
settler in Kentucky, killing him with all his family 
except one boy, who happened to be a short distance 
from the cabin, when attacked, and who, although 
hotly pursued, eluded his enemies and escaped. Now 
in that crowded bar-room there was one intensely 
interested listener, a stern man, who heard from the 
lips of the old chieftain the particulars of the story of 
his family's massacre; for he was that flying boy who 
had saved his life by fleetness of foot when all his 
kindred fell. Without a word he left the room. The 
next day Ben Davis did not make his appearance in 
Brookville; but it excited but little remark, for he 
was erratic in his movements. The second day some 
one passing his camp found the old chief cold in 
death, with a bullet hole in his forehead, and his 
pipe fallen by his side, for he had been sitting by 
his fire, smoking, when he received his sudden mes- 
sage to visit the happy hunting-grounds of the Indi- 
an's paradise. It was a fitting death for so fierce a 
spirit, for though he had escaped the whistling shot 
and trenchant steel in many a battle, he finally fell 
a victim to private vengeance. Public opinion, while 
unanimous as to the author of the deed, recognized 
the terrible provocation, and justified the act more 
readily, as many had lost friends by the hands of the 
red man. No judicial investigation was ever had, 
and the young man still held a respectable standing 
in society." 

Ben Davis never forgave or forgot an injury. 
When his tribe, broken and defeated, was compelled 
to cede his lands, he held himself aloof, refusing to 
join in any treaty, though sullenly submitting to its 
requirements, and, while bowing to the decrees of an 
inexorable and restless destiny, declined by word or 
deed to approve or sanction them. His name will be 
perpetuated by that lovely stream, which waters 
some of the best lands of Eush County. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



47 



CHAPTER IV. 



^ EARLY EELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENTS. 
OLD SCHOOL BAPTISTS— METHODISM— PRESBYTERIANISU— THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH— SCHOOLS. 



IT is the purpose of this chapter to present briefly 
and in a general way some little knowledge of 
the introduction of religious societies into the county, 
and give an idea of the early educational system of 
the State, leaving a more detailed sketch of the vari- 
ous churches and schools to the chapters on the city 
and townships in which they are located. 

OLD SCHOOL BAPTISTS. 

In a previous chapter it has been shown that the 
tide of early immigration to the Whitewater Valley 
generally proceeded from the South and East. The 
larger portion of the people settling early in Ohio 
west of the Great Miami River, and in the southern 
Whitewater country hailed from the South, and 
among them were many Kentuckians, among whom 
prevailed the Baptist denomination; and from the 
State of Kentucky were sent to the region of country 
in question many popular ministers. Much of the 
pioneer preaching was by these Kentucky ministers. 
Says Rev. Allen Wiley, "It is presumed that the first 
meeting house ever built in Whitewater Valley was 
on Lee's Creek, a small branch of the Dry Fork of 
Whitewater, a log-house located about three miles 
east of Harrison." 

Another of the early places for holding meetings 
was at the house of Joseph Hackleman, above John- 
son's Fork. A church society was constituted here 
in the spring or summer of 1805, and William Tyner, 
who resided south of Brookville, became the pastor. 
Probably within a year a log meeting-house with 
gallery was erected on Mr. Hackleman's land, "the 
first meeting-house ever built in the Whitewater 
Valley on the Indiana side of the line." 

The next place of worship was a small log-house 
situated some three miles below Brookville, a little 
below Little Cedar Grove Creek. This building in 
a few years was destroyed by tire, and in 1812 was 
replaced by a medium sized brick which still stands. 

Among the early Baptist preachers of the southern 
Whitewater country were Ezra Ferris at Lawrence- 
biirg, Jeremiah Johnson at Hackleman's, James 
Remy at Johnson's Fork, Moses Hornady at Indian 
Creek, Lewis Deweese, William Tyner and John 
Blades at Little Cedar Grove, and William Wilson 
on West Fork. Between 1806 and 1810 several arms 



grew out of this church and became separate organ- 
izations. These were located principally in what is 
now Franklin County, with perhaps one or two in 
Union County. As the territory became more thickly 
populated other arms and new societies grew with 
the march of settlement uutil the country was pretty 
well dotted over with the cabin meeting houses of 
the Old School Baptist denomination. 

The first churches of this denomination constituted 
in Fayette County were in ISl-l, Franklin below 
Nulltown, New Bethel in northern Jennings Town- 
ship and the Lick Creek Church south of Harrisburg. 

METHODISM. 

Says Rev. Allen Wiley, "When I came to the 
Whitewater in the fall of 1804, there were only two 
men oh it so far as I know, who had ever been Meth - 
odists. These were James Cole and Benjamin Mc- 
Carty. The latter had been an exhorter or local 
preacher in Tennessee. He settled on Whitewater 
in the summer of 1803, at which time he had rather 
fallen from his religious engagements. He after- 
ward became a local preacher of medium talents. 
Subsequently he connected himself with the United 
Brethren. 

"Enoch Smith came in the fall of 1805 or winter 
of 1806 and lived on my father's farm. His wife 
was a most devoted and pious woman, who was one 
of the main pillars in the church after its formation. 
These persons, with a few others, sent a petition to 
John Sale, who was their Presiding Elder in the 
Ohio district. In their petition they asked that a 
regular traveling preacher be sent to them to preach 
and form societies. After the petition had been 
sent in, McCarty began preaching in the neighbor- 
hood, and the people were taught something of 
Methodist doctrines." 

In the spring of 1806 Rev. Joseph Oglesby was 
sent by the Conference to form a new circuit west of 
the Great Miami River, to be known as the White- 
water Circuit. On the east side of East Fork some 
four miles south of Richmond, in what is now Wayne 
County, had settled in 1805 a man by the name of 
Hugh Cull, who built a shanty of logs with bark 
covering. His wife bad been a Methodist in Ken- 
tucky. Soon after this his dwelling was visited by a 



48 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



preacher from Hamilton, Ohio, the neighbors called 
in and services were held, which resulted in the 
formation of a class, of which Mr. Cull became 
leader. He subsequently became a local preacher 
and that locality became a regular preaching place. 

Mr. Oglesby preached in several places in Ohio 
and in the Kentucky settlement in Wayne County, 
and from thence he went down Whitewater to Mc- 
Carty's, more than forty miles distant. At this place 
Mr. Oglesby formed a flourishing society, which 
remained many years. In 1807 Revs. Thomas Hel- 
ium and Sela Payne were appointed to the circuit- 
In the spring of 1807 Charles Waddle and two or 
three other families settled in what is now the eastern 
part of Uuion County, and formed themselves into a 
class. In the autumn of 1809 Revs. Thomas Nelson 
and Samuel H. Thc)mpson were appointed to the 
Whitewater Circuit, John Sale being Presiding 
Elder. 

At the Conference of 1812 the Whitewater Circuit 
was divided, and that part of it east of Brookville 
was called Oxford Circuit. John Strange was sent 
this year to the Brookville Circuit, which then 
embraced much of the present Franklin County, the 
settled pait of Wayne and, perhaps, a part of Fayette 
County. The preacher then traveled from block-house 
to block-house, with his gun on his shoulder for pro- 
tection against the Indians. The first Methodist 
meeting-house built in the Whitewater country is 
said to have been a small log-hause that stood on 
Clear Creek east of Salisbury, in Wayne County. 
This was erected in 1811. 

The earliest evidence we have of Methodist preach- 
ing within the present limits of Fayette County, is 
contained in the following scrap of history related 
many years ago, in the village of Lebanon, Ohio, by 
Rev. David Sharpe, who traveled the Whitewater 
Circuit in 1813 (it was a six weeks' circuit): 

" Mr. Sharpe began his work at Brookville, and 
preached there his tirst Sunday; from there on Mon- 
day to Williams' on Deer Creek; Tuesday, to 
Bryson's Block-house, about four miles below Laurel; 
Wednesday, to Roberts' Blockhouse; Thursday, to 
Montgomery's, in Wayne County; Friday, atMoffitt's, 
on the East Fork of Whitewater; Saturday, in Hugh 
Cull's neighborhood; Sunday, at John ISIeek's, on the 
east side of the East Fork of Whitewater; Monday, 
in the court house in New Salisbury; Tuesday, at 
Hardy Cain's; Wednesday, at Abijah Cain's; Thurs- 
day, name of the place forgotten; Friday, at Eaton, 
Preble Co., Ohio; Saturday, six miles north of Eaton; 
Sunday, at Widow Sharpe's, on Twin Creek; Monday, 
at Stephens', four miles south of Eaton; Tuesday, at 
Hanna's, on Hanna's Creek, Indiana; Wednesday, at 
Nott's, west of the East Fork of Whitewater; Thurs- 



day, at Jones' Schoolhouse; Friday, at Bright's, eight 
miles above Brookville; Saturday, at Johnson's, on 
the West Fork, four miles above Brookville; Sunday, 
in the schoolhouse in Brookville. 

"At each of the above named appointments, he 
preached once in six weeks, except Brookville, where 
he preached every three weeks. 

" There was no preaching at that time at ' Con- 
ner's Station,' but he preached occasionally at Mr. 
Tharpe's, near the river, about one and one-half 
miles above Connersville." 

The progress of Methodism in the country prior 
to 1823 was not raj)id. There were two societies 
only east of the West Fork that were in progress at 
that time. 

In 1821 a circuit was formed by Rev. John 
Havens, a local preacher, which included the village 
of Connersville and was styled Connersville Circuit, 
and came into the Conference the following year. 
This was under the Presiding Eldership of Rev. 
Alexander Cummins. Rev. James Murray was 
appointed to the circuit in 1822, and in 1823 Rev. 
Aaron Wood. The following is a copy of the plan of 
the circuit in 1823: 

Fayette County — Connersville, Hankin's Hink- 
ston's, Hardey's. 

Franklin County — Con well's. Grist's, Alley's, 
Lewis'. 

Decatur County — Miller's, Emley's, Sholt's. 

Rush County — Grigg's, Young's, Taylor's, Groves'. 

Fayette County — Patterson's, Jacob Lower's. 

Henry County — Killes, Morris', New Castle, Stan- 
ford's, Leonard's. 

Fayette County — Joe Lower's, Briggs'. 

One of the early ministers in a communication to 
the writer remarked that "the proprietors and first 
settlers of Connersville were skeptics on religion, 
and it was a hard place for any Evangelical religious 
influence. The towns of Centerville and Brookville 
were much in advance of Connersville in Methodist 
societies." 

Without undertaking to give the various changes 
of the circuits, districts and conferences, which have 
since comprised the numerous churches of the county, 
we will state that in general the churches east of the 
West Fork of Whitewater River have been connected 
with circuits to the east, while those west of that 
stream have been attached to the Connersville Circuit, 
and circuits growing out of it. 

The following list contains the names of the 
preachers who traveled the circuits of which the 
churches of the county formed a part, for a quarter 
of a century, beginning with 1823, both east and 
west of West Fork: 

1823 — Revs. Bigelow and Gatch, east; Rev. Aaron 
Wood, west. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



49 



1824 — Revs. Evert and White, east; Rev. James 
Havens, west. 

1825 — Revs. Stephens and Griffith, east; Rev. N. 

B. Griffith, west. 

1826 — Revs. Havens and Jones, east; Rev. Robert 
Burns, west. 

1827 — Rev. Havens, east; Rev. Robert Burns, 
west. 

1828 — Revs. Hitt and Scott, east; Revs. William 
Evans and I. N. Ellsbury, west. 

1829 — Revs. Thompson and Robinson, east; Revs. 
Amos Sparks and William Hunter, west. 

1830 — Revs. Havens and Smith, east; Revs. Ancie 
Beach and Wesley Wood, west. 

1831 — Revs. Taylor and Kimball, east; Revs. Asa 
Beck and Elijah Whitten, west. 

1832 — Revs. McReynolds and Dailey, east; Rev. 
J. W. McReynolds, west. 

1833 — Revs. Tarkington and Griss, east; Rev. 
J. W. McReynolds, west. 

1834 — Revs. Bonner and Bobbins, oast; Revs. J. 
W. McReynolds and J. S. Harrison, west. 

1835 — Revs. McReynolds and Harris, east; Revs. 
Robert Burns and L. M. Burns, west. 

1836 — Revs. Burwick and Stallard, east; Rev. F. 

C. Holliday, west. 

1837 — Rev. Phelps, east; Revs. D. J. Cox and J. 
W. Altman, west. 

1838 — Revs. Beswick and Hartie,east; Revs. James 
Scott and John Kiger, west. 

1839 — Revs. Beeks and Kelso, east; Revs. D. 
Stiver and Seth Smith, west. 

1840 — Revs. Kiger and Landy Havens, east; Revs. 
M. Miller and G. W. Bowers, west. 

1841 — Revs. Kiger and Perkins, east; Revs. E. 
Whitten and A. Wilkinson, west. 

1842 — Revs. Tarkington and George Havens, east; 
Revs. J. Kiger and J. Bruner, west. 

1843 — Revs. Hibben and Reeves, east; Revs. 
James Hill and J. Bruner, west. 

1844 — Revs. Bruner and Anderson, east; Revs. W. 
W. Hibben and G. H. P. Ash, west. 

1845 — Revs. Bruner and Wallis, east; Revs. B. 
T. Griffith and J. C. Reed, west. 

1846 — Revs. Griffith and Wallis, east; Revs. R. 
S. Robinson and L. C. Crawford, west. 

1847 — Rev. Sullivan, oast; Revs. W. Terrell and 
E. H. Sabin, west. 

1848 — Revs. Hayes and Jackson, east; Revs. W. 
W. Snyder and B. Y. Coffin, west. 

Connersville and Whitewater Circuits were favored 
with the labors of a large number of talented and 
industrious local preachers, prominent among whom 
was James Conwell, the proprietor of Laurel. He 
conducted a dry goods store, and annually di-ove a 



great many hogs to Cincinnati, and is said to have 
been the first man ever known to keep the Sabbath 
while driving hogs to market. He was one of the 
early and zealous advocates of a system of internal 
improvements in Indiana. The Whitewater Canal 
owed its construction and was in a measure due to 
his influence. He served as a member of the State 
Legislature. Says Rev. Aaron Wood of him, "He 
was a very sympathetic man, cried a great deal while 
he was preaching, and usually made his hearers cry 
before he was done." From 1824 to several years 
afterward, James Conwell, John Havens, Joel 
Havens, Thomas Silvey, John Morrow, James Gregg, 
John Linville, James Linville, Robert Groves and 
Thomas Leonard were all within the bounds of Con- 
nersville Circuit. 

Dr. Wood remarks, "Every variety of gifts were 
exemplified in these men. They were strong in doc- 
trine, wise in discipline, critical in letters, bold in 
reproof, and pathetic in exhortation; and at a camp- 
meeting their labors were very efficient for lasting 
good on the entire community. John Morrow was a 
scholarly man, and spent most of his life as a school 
teacher. Joel Havens was chiefly noted for his won- 
derful gift of exhortation. Few men knew how to 
play on the emotions and passions of an audience as 
did ho. Charles Hardy, William Patterson and 
William Hunt were also talented local preachers 
within the bounds of Connersville Circuit." 

PRESBYTEHIANISM. 

The following in substance, concerning early 
Presbyterianism,i8 extracted from the writings of Rev. 
Liadlow D. Potter: 

' 'The first Presbyterian minister of whose 
labors in this region we have any record was Rev. 
Samuel Baldridge, who organized a society of seven- 
teen members at the house of John Allen, near Har- 
rison, where he preached steadily until 1814. From 
1810 to 1814 he worked as an itinerant missionary 
in the Whitewater Valley, having various preaching 
places from Lawrenceburg to Dunlapsville. He 
preached at Brookville and at Robert Templeton's, 
and at Mr. Hanna's, near Banna's Creek. At that 
time there were several families here who were 
adherents to the Presbyterian faith. Among these 
were Mr. and Mrs. Barbour from Ireland, Judge 
Arthur Dixon and wife and brother from Harper's 
Church in Washington County, Va., Mr. Young (who 
kept what has since been called the "Yellow Tav- 
ern" and who was from Pennsylvania), John Vincent 
and wife, Robert Templeton and wife, the Knights, 
and Mr. and Mrs. William McCleary, who were 
from Frederick County, Md. All of these resid- 
ed in town except Mr. Templeton, the parents 



50 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



of Mrs. Ryburn and one of the Dixons; the latter 
lived on the Rushville road at the foot of Boundary 
Hill. He afterwards moved to a farm near Conners- 
ville and a few years afterward united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Arthur Dixon was a 
blacksmith. He removed to Connersville in 1823 
and his wife was one of the early members of the 
church organized there. After the removal of Mr. 
Baldridge from Harrison, there was occasional preach- 
ing in HarrisoD, Brookville, Somerset and adjacent 

settlements by Rev. Robertson, of Kentucky, 

Rev. James Dickey, of Ohio, and others, for four or 
live years, during which period other families had 
settled in various parts of the country. From 1816 
to 1825 efforts were made to gather these people in 
churches. This resulted ia the organization of 
churches at Brookville in 1818, Mount Carmel in 
18— Somerset about 1823, and Bath in 1825." 

During this period, besides occasional supplies 
from Presbytery and various itinerant clergymen, the 
friends of Presbyterianism were much encouraged by 
the faithful and zealous labors of two young minis- 
ters, who were fi'om the East as domestic missionaries. 
These wece A. W. Piatt, of New York, and' W. W. 
Barton, of New Jersey. After spending three or four 
years traversing the country from Lawrenceburg to 
Richmond, these brethren, to the great grief of the 
people, saw fit to return to their native States. 

In 1824 the Cincinnati Presbytery (Old School) 
sent Rev. Daniel Hayden to Connersville to preach 
and if practicable to organize a church. Mr. Hayden 
arrived in the village October 2d, preached in the 
Court House on the 3rd and on the 4th an organiza- 
tion was effected. 

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

About the year 1828 the teachings of the Church 
of the Reformation, commonly known as Campbellism, 
were being preached in Kentucky with almost un- 
bounded success by the Rev. John Smith, whose elo- 
quence was making converts by the hundreds, if not 
by thousands. We refer particularly to Bracken 
County, which had been the former home of an able 
and eloquent young Baptist preacher, by the name of 
John P. Thompson, who had settled in Rush County 
in the spring of 1822. Mr. Thompson immediately 
became the pastor of the Baptist Church at Little 
Flat Rock. It was not long until his reputation as a 
speaker had spread over the country, and through his 
influence Baptist Churches were organized in differ- 
ent parts of the surrounding country. 

The excitement in Kentucky over the doctrines of 
the Reformation disturbed the young Baptist preacher 
of the Little Flat Rock Church, and he concluded to 
visit his old home and investigate things for himself, 
so he went, carrying with him the full confidence of 



his own church in his power and ability to meet and 
annihilate the new doctrine. Suffice it to say, that 
Mr. Thompson returned a convert to the doctrines of 
the Church of the Reformation, and it was not long 
until notice was given that there would be a meeting 
at the house of Elias Stone, near Danville (now Fay- 
etteville) Fayette County, on Sunday, October 5, 
1828, and at that meeting it is said the first sermon 
of the Reformation was preached in eastern Indiana 
by John P. Thompson, who immediately began a pro- 
tracted meeting at Little Flat Rock Church. In a 
few weeks he had baptized upward of 100 persons. 
For a time all of the Baptist Churches acquiesced 
in the new order of things; but finally a reaction 
came, and throughout eastern Indiana, and, in fact, 
the whole country, religious controversies were the 
order of the day, which resulted in a division of the 
churches. 

For a number of years Mr. Thompson devoted all 
of his time and talents for the cause of the Reforma- 
tion, and organized a number of chiu'ches, the first 
being the Christian Church at Fayetteville, which 
dates from July 4, 1829; another at the house of 
Judge Webb, in the vicinity of Nulltown. An effort 
was made iu the spring of 1830 by the Little Flat 
Rock Church to expel Elder Thompson, but lacking 
a majority it failed, and a division of the church was 
the result, and from May 23, 1830, dates the organi- 
zation of the Little Flat Rock Christian Church. 

In 1832 Elder John O'Kane settled in Milton, com- 
ing from the village of Lebanon, Ohio, though by 
birth a Virginian. He engaged in school teaching, 
and on Sundays preached the doctrines of the Ref- 
ormation. He was a co-laborer with Elder Thomp- 
son, and one of the most eloquent preachers of the 
Reformation. These two gentlemen traveled through 
eastern Indiana, and made many converts every- 
where, forming the nucleus around which have gath- 
ered the flourishing churches of to-day. 

Benjamin F. Reeve, R. T. Brown, George Camp- 
bell, Elias Stone and John Langly were among the 
early preachers of the Reformation in this section of 
the country. 

SCHOOLS. 

Subscription schools were the only schools known 
to the pioneers of Fayette. The schoolhouses were 
not unlike the cabins of that day; first was the round- 
log-house with its puncheon floor, door and seats, the 
latter backless; its heating apparatus, a huge tii-e- 
place in one end of the room, or, perhaps, a contrived 
receptacle for tire in the center of the room with no 
exit for the smoke other than an opening in the roof, 
and the only means of light through greased paper. 
Next came the hewed-log-house, and finally the neat 
frame and the substantial brick. Says a pioneer: 



i^: 



t 



'¥v 









'^ j<ftA 




//Cutfl// J^^^uryy, 




LAjv 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



53 



"The price of achooling was 75 cents to $1 per 
(juurter, and the schools generulJy lasted throe months 
[)er annum, and the masters w(>re paid in wheat at 37 J 
cents per bushel, or corn at 8 or 10 cents and deliv- 
ered — which was done on a sled, very few having 
wagons. In fact, they had no use for any, as every- 
body made his own sled, and that was sufficient." 

In order to be a teacher then, the person mast be 
able to teach reading, writing and arithmetic to the 
single rule of throe. This was the standard of loam, 
ing that the teacher had to attain in order to be 
classed as an educator. It was plainly to be under- 
stood that the people of those times wanted nothing 
better. 

Under provision of Congress, one square mile in 
each Congressional township was reserved for edu- 
cational purposes. The Territorial Legislature on 
October 26, 1808, invested the Courts of Common 
Pleas with powers to lease such lands, the proceeds 
resulting to go to the benefit of educational enter- 
prises. By further enactments, Trustees were ap- 
pointed to take charge of those school lands. In 
1816 the General Assembly passed an act providing 
for the appointment of Superintendents. Numerous 
subsequent acts from time to time for the advance- 
ment of education in the State have been passed, and 
the result is the present high degree of excellency. 
By the law of 1824, for building schoolhouses, each 
voter was made a builder. When a schoolhouse was 
to be built, the people would meet and each was 
assigned to some particular class of work — there were 
choppers, masons (daubers), hewers, etc. A fine of 
37^ cents per day was required of those who did not 
work or pay an equivalent. One section of the law 
provided that each schoolhouse should be eight feet 



between the floors, and at least one foot from the sur- 
face of the ground to the first floor, and finished in a 
manner calculated to render comfortable the teacher 
and pupils, with a suitable number of seats, tables, 
lights, and everything necessary for the convenience 
of such schools. 

The law creating the office of County Superin- 
tendent was enacted in 1872-73, prior to which time 
the duties of that officer devolved upon the School 
Examiners, excepting school visiting. 

In the pioneer day, the Trustee of the school dis- 
trict, by virtue of his office, was the examiner and sole 
judge of the qualifications of the teacher, and in all 
probability a majority of the Trustees wore wholly 
incapable of deciding the merits of such qualifica- 
tions; in fact, little attention was paid to this branch 
of the subject. Some years later, a little subsequent 
to 1833, says Uncle Sammy Little ' ' when I taught I 
was examined verbally by Dr. R. T. Brown, while he 
strapped his razor in his own parlor." 

The following resolutions were adopted at a meet- 
ing held at a schoolhouse near Col. Crisler's, in Col- 
umbia Township, December 31, 1829, for the purpose 
of taking into consideration the practice of barring 
out school teachers on Christmas and New Years. 
Col. Crisler presided; Benjamin Smith acted as Sec 
retary, and Dr. Philip Mason delivered a lecture on 
the subject. 

Resolved, That in our opinion it is botli immoral and 
impolitic to celebrate tlie 2.itli day of December, and the 1st 
day of January, as is the practice of some persons, and par- 
ticularly in stopping the neighborhood schools on those days. 

Resoloeil, Also, that it is the I)ounden duty of parents, who 
are subscribers to schools, to pre.sent, as far as is in their 
power, their cliildren from the various injurious practice of 
barring out school teachers. 



CHAPTER V. 



PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

GEOGRAPHY— TOPOGRAPHY— GEOLOGY. 



FAYETTE COUNTY is located in the southeastern 
portion of the State, and is bounded on the 
north by Henry and Wayne Counties, on the east by 
Union, on the south by Franklin, and on the west by 
Bush. Connersville, its seat of justice, is in latitude 
39° 36' north, and longitude 7^ 54' west, being by 
rail distant 67.2 miles a little south of east from 
Indianapolis, and 57.1 northwest of Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Fayette is one of the smaller counties of the State, 
and contains an area of 211 square miles, as given 
by the "Indiana Gazetteer." 



TOPOGRAPHY. 

The surface of the county is rolling in the east 
and south, and level or gently undulating in the 
north and west, with a large proportion of bottoms, 
and every part of the county is susceptible of profit- 
able cultivation. Dense forests of ash, sugar-tree^ 
beech, walnut, poplar, oak, sycamore, elm, hackberry, 
buckeye and Cottonwood originally covered most of 
the county, which is well watered and drained by per- 
manent streams. The principal water-courses are 
tributaries to the Whitewater River, and reach that 



54 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



river through the West Fork of the same river, which 
is the largest stream in the county, and passes from 
north to south nearly through its center. 

Of the several notable tributaries of West Fork, 
Lick Creek, the most northern, has its source in 
eastern Posey Township, flows in a southeastern direc- 
tion out into and through Harrison Township, to a 
point near its southern boundary, where it makes a 
turn and flows nearly north for about one mile, then 
east, and empties into West Fork, which serves as the 
boundary line between the townships of Harrison and 
Waterloo. 

The next water-course south is' Little Williams 
Creek, which has its source in Harrison Township, 
flows southeasterly through Harrison and Connera- 
ville Townships, and joins Williams Creek proper 
about one mile from the latter's mouth at West Fork 

Williams Creek proper rises in the northwestern 
part of the county, flows south for some miles through 
Posey, Fairview and Harrison Townships, when it 
enters Connersville Township in the extreme north- 
west corner, and takes a southeasterly course and con- 
veys its waters into West Fork, a little south of the 
dividing line between Connersville and Columbia 
Townships, at a point about five miles from the 
Franklin County line. 

• South of Williams Creek is Fall Creek, which 
takes its beginning in the western part of the county, 
near the line dividing Orange and Connersville 
Townships, flows east and joins West Fork. At the 
mouth of Williams Creek, Garrison's Creek, which 
is understood to have taken its name from Samuel 
Garrison, who settled at its mouth during the war of 
J812, being the first settler in that vicinity, rises in 
Orange Township in the western part of the county, 
flows in two separate channels about one mile apart 
in a southeastern direction, and parallel with each 
other for as much as six miles, when they unite at a 
point in southeastern Columbia Township, and con- 
tinue by one stream for about a mile, where its 
mouth is reached probably one mile above Laurel, in 
the county of Franklin. 

The tributaries to West Fork from the east are 
Nolan's Fork, which h.is but about one mile's course 
in the county, flowing from Wayne County, and 
waters a portion of Waterloo Township; Village 
Creek, flowing in a southwestern direction from the 
eastern part of the county, Jennings Township; 
Wilson's Creek from Jennings, flowing west through 
Jackson Township, and Bear Creek, nest south, 
through the same township. 

Other than these, in the eastern part of the county, 
are the sources of Simpson's Creek, Turkey Creek 
and Ellis Creek, all of which are tributaries to the 
East Fork of Whitewater, and drain small portions 



of Waterloo, Jennings and Jackson Townships. The 
Whitewater River is a very rapid stream, having 
upon an average, a fall of six feet to the mile from 
Hagerstown, in Wayne County, to Elizabethtown, in 
the State of Ohio. The West Fork has not quite so 
great a fall as this, yet all along its course it affords 
an ample power to propel almost any amount of 
machinery. It is said that in former times the stream 
was bordered by trees, and the water was so trans- 
parent in the fall and winter, that the bottom could 
be seen at a depth of twenty feet. It is still a very 
clear stream, but by no means equal to what it was 
formerly. None of the streams furnish upon an 
average more than one-third of the amount of water 
they did forty or fifty years ago. This failure is 
caused by the destruction of the forests, and by 
draining the flat uplands. Whilst the surface was 
covered with trees, brush and leaves, the water after 
rains was prevented from flowing rapidly into the 
streams, so that the rises were gradual; but since the 
side hills have been cleared and set in grass, and the 
level lands drained, the water rushes rapidly into the 
streams, causing great floods, which wash the banks, 
overflowing many of the bottoms, and as quickly sub- 
side, leaving a deficiency of water as compared with 
former years. These floods have gi-eatly marred the 
beauty of the river, by washing away the banks and 
leaving great accumulations of gravel and sand in its 
widened bed. The Whitewater was once a navisrable 
stream for some miles, and some of the early settlers 
were possibly engaged in trafficking upon its bosom. 
There is a legend that as early as 1813 the first Terri- 
torial Legislatiu'e made an appropriation for improv- 
ing the navigation of the Whitewater, and that W. H. 
Eads was the Commissioner for expending the money. 
Mr. Eads had been a member of the convention from 
Franklin County which had formed the State con- 
stitution, and had acquired quite a reputation for 
business capacity, and it is possible that he might 
have wanted such an appropriation. It is within the 
recollection of the living that several boats were 
built and launched at Brookville, but as to their size, 
description, and whether any ever succeeded in get- 
tinw out of the river, the writer has no knowledge. 

In support of the statement that the river was 
navigable, it was recorded and classified as such in a 
Geography and History of the Western States, pub- 
lished in 1828, wherein the number of miles of navi- 
gation was given as forty. The following description 
of the river was given in that work: 

" Whitewater is a branch of the Big Miami, and 
is a very interesting river. It rises near Fort Green- 
ville, in Ohio. Not far from its source it crosses in- 
to Indiana, and in its devious course waters a large 
extent of fertile country. The West Fork unites 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



55 



with it at Brookville, thirty miles above its entrance 
into the Miami. This beautiful stream is supposed 
to water nearly 1,000,000 acres of land. It abounds 
in fine lish, and exceeds all other rivers of the coun- 
try in the unusual transparency of its waters. It 
has its source in copious springs, and its waters are 
uncommonly cold. The people in its vicinity have 
an idea that its waters are too much wanting in spe- 
cific gravity, or from other causes_too little buoyant, 
for ordinary swimmers to trust themselves to bathe 
in." 

In further support of the early navigation of the 
Whitewater, we quote from the notes of Rev. Thomas 
Goodwin: 

" One of the early acts of the Territorial Legisla- 
ture was to make the Whitewater a ' navigable 
stream.' This was done as early as February, 1813. 
This may provoke a smile, but the West Fork up to 
the vicinity of Waterloo, and the East Fork to Dun- 
lapsville, were navigable, and sent out many a cargo 
of produce that floated to New Orleans." 

In the earlier history of the country there was a 
lake or pond of considerable size located in the north- 
ern part of the county, in Sections 31 and 6, Town 
15, Range 13 east, which, according to a published 
account in 1833, covered some sixty or seventy acres, 
and was then fed by a small stream, but from which 
issued no stream except during the spring freshets. 
This body of water, by drainage and evaporation, has 
long since disappeared. 

The summit west of Big Williams Creek is the 
highest point of land on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & 
Indianapolis Railroad, between Hamilton, Ohio, and 
Indianapolis, Ind. Its elevation above tide-water is 
1,126.68 feet. 

The following table will exhibit the elevations of 
land at different points in the county. For the pur- 
pose of comparison the elevations of several points in 
adjoining counties are given. The altitudes as given 
are above tide-water: 

FEET. 

Surface of the ground at the court house iu Conners- 

ville 845 

Base of rail on branch of J., M. & I. Railroad at 

Bentonville 1,066.74 

Base of rail on branch of J., M. & I. Railroad at 

Falmouth 1,061 

Whitewater River at Connersvillc 817.68 

Summit east of Big Williams Creek 1,060.68 

Summit west of Big Williams Creek 1,126.68 

Track of the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati 

Railroad at Fayette County line 881 

Track of the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati 

Railroad at Cambridge City (Wayne County) 957 

Whitewater and Brownsville (Union County) 778 

Summit east of Hanna's Creek (Union County) 1,077 

Whitewater River at junction of East Fork at 

Brookville (Franklin County) 630 

Rushville Station (Rush County) 976 



The surface of the ground at Connersville is 393 
feet above high-water mark in the Ohio River at the 
head of the falls, and 259 feet above Lake Erie. 
At the old Conwell dam below the city the elevations 
above the same points are 34:8 and 214 feet respec- 
tively. 

GEOLOGY. 

The dividing ridge in the counties of Switzerland, 
Dearborn, Franklin, Union and Fayette, between the 
waters of the W^ abash and those of the Ohio, may be 
considered the eastern boundary of the magnesian 
limestone group of Upper SiluriaUj date. On the 
western borders of Fayette and Franklin Counties 
these rocks are occasionally to be seen; but the 
greater part of these two counties, as well as the 
whole of Switzerland, Dearborn and Union, is occu- 
pied by the inferior blue, fossiliferous, shell lime- 
stones and alternating marls. These rise to their 
highest elevation near the eastern limit of Indiana, 
and decline toward the east as they pass into Ohio. 

These counties are remarkably interesting to the 
geologist on account of the numerous marine fossils 
found imbedded in the blue limestone formation. 
Some of them are in a wonderful state of preserva- 
tion, and so abundant that the rock is almost an ag- 
glutinated mass of marine shells and corals, which 
lived, died and became entombed in the sediments 
and precipitates forming in the ocean durincr the 
earliest period to which geologists are able to trace 
back organic existences. 

The county of Fayette is of both the Upper and 
Lower Silurian formation. A little more than the 
western half of its territory is of the Upper Silurian 
while some less than the eastern half is of the Lower 
Silurian. The soils of the latter formation are most 
excellent for the growing of what is known as the 
famous blue-grass of Kentucky. This can be made 
a most profitable crop in such formation, hence let 
the farmer of eastern Fayette experiment more largely 
in its production. 

During the years 1859-60 there was made under 
the direction of the late David Dale Owen, M. D., 
State Geologist, by Richard Owen, M. D., then Prin- 
cipal Assistant, afterward State Geologist, a Geolog- 
ical Reconnoissance of Indiana, from the report of 
which the following pertaining to Fayette County 
is extracted: "Passing from the northern line of the 
county toward Connersville, the county seat, we trav- 
eled through parts of the valley of Whitewater to 
extensive bottoms rising into gentle and undulating 
drift elevations, exhibiting fine farms and the pros- 
pect of abundant corn crops. Near town the osage 
hedges betokened high cultivation, and the mill 
race with extensive buildings indicated where a part, 
at least, of their staple product, wheat, receives its 



56 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



preparation for the flour market. Pork and beef 
are also largely produced in this county. Although 
the soil in places appeared clayey, indicated by the 
ponds along the roadsides, yet it was susceptible of 
pulverization by the harrow, and the wheat which on 
the 19th of September (the day we passed through 
Connersville) had already been put in on several 
farms, was much of it drilled, and in excellent order. 
This system of drilliagwheat appears to be rapidly 
gaining in the estimation of our farming community, 
as rendering it less liable to freeze out besides saving, 
seed and distributing it more rapidly than even a long 
experience in broad-cast sowing can possibly secure. 
"The prevailing timber is oak and beech, occa- 
sionally thinned out so as to form fine wood pastures, 
in which the blue-grass (*Poapraten8is) thrives kindly. 
"Building materials are abundant, rock being 
extensively quarried in tolerably heavy layers at sev- 
eral places near the county line of Franklin, and 
across the line at Somerset as well as on Williams 
Creek, near which locality they also manufacture 
hydraulic cement from limestone. 

"Adjoining Williams Creek two or three miles 
west of Connersville, we found in about twenty-five 
feet, vertical thickness, of blue limestone, inter- 
spersed with martite, abundant samples of the follow- 
ing fossils: Choetetes petropolitanus, Streptelasma 
corniculum, Rhynchonella, (Atrypa) increbescens, 
Sti-ophonsena (Leptpena) Alternata, S. planumvona, 
Leptoena sericea, Orthistestudinaria, portions of caly- 
menesenaria, and of Asaphus canalis, (Isotelusgigas). 
" In traveling toward the extreme western limit of 
Fayette, about four and a half miles from the Rush 
County line, wo found at a deep, natural cut a tine 
exposure of the upper members in the Lower Silurian 
formation, surrounded by a reddish Silico-calcareous 
rock, apparently of Upper Silurian age, although we 
failed to find any fossils in it." 

[In this natural exposure of 110 feet these gen- 
tlemen made an examination of the succession of 
strata, which is illustrated by plates not here found 
practicable to give, but an examination made near 
Connersville revealed the following strata in the de- 
scending order: Three feet of soil, twenty-five feet 
of gravel, ten feet of sand, six feet of blue clay and 
twenty feet of bowlders intermingled with gravel.] 

* The less comnioD blue-grass of botanists is poe compressia. 



" vSoon after passing this locality we ascended 
still higher, over coarse gravel and bowlders, to 
about the highest land in the State, the barometer at 
2 P. M. falling to 28.97 inches, although it stood a 
few hours before at 29.28 at Connersville. Allowing 
that it had fallen, as it often does in the afternoon, 
about two-hundredths, still we had ascended 270 
feet after leaving Connersville. We continued some 
time on this elevated plateau with but little variation 
in the barometer, passing some very tine farms and a 
dense growth of large beech, sugar maple and oak 
timber, with pawpaw undergrowth even beyond 
Vienna, the western limit of the county, that town be- 
ing built in Rush up to the Fayette line. 

" We readily perceive from observation that a 
great portion of the surface soil in this county is 
drift, amounting sometimes to fifty or sixty feet in 
vertical thickness, which has thus greatly modi- 
fied the soil from that of pure Upper Silurian 
detritus. 

" On portions of this plateau there is a deficiency 
of running water for stock, although a supply is ob- 
tained on many portions of the elevation by digging 
ten or fifteen feet through bluish clay, when they 
reach gravel and usually find water in that or the 
sand overlying an impervious substratum. It is com- 
monly hard, because during filtration through the 
superincumbent drift the water encounters fragments 
of limestone. Notwithstanding some inconvenience, 
on this score of a scarce supply in dry seasons, there 
are farmhouses on the plateau in Fayette and the ad 
joining county of Rush as tine as any we saw in the 
State. Some of them could have not cost less than 
$4,000 or $5,000. The style of architecture is elab 
orate and sometimes highly ornamental. 

Along the river bottoms the soil of Fayette is 
rich and productive, composed largely of vegetable 
matter or humus, with clay, sand and lime; in fact, 
all the elements of fertility. These lands have im- 
mense crops of corn for years. The constant crop- 
ping in corn, however, is perceptibly exhausting 
them, and points out the necessity of a rotation In 
crops and the application of fertilizers if they are 
; expected to maintain their fertility. The uplands 
are of clayey soils mixed with sand and gravel, on 
which, by good culture, rotating crops and subsoiling, 
fair crops are produced. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



57 



CHAPTER VI. 



CIVIL ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 

BOUNDARIES— LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT— COUNTY BUILDINGS. 



FAYETTE COUNTY was established by an act of 
the General Assembly of the State of Indiana 
approved December 28, 1818, and named at the same 
time in honor of Gen. Lafayette. The act creating 
the county took effect January 1, 1819, and with this 
date the history of the county as a civil division 
begins. 

The county was formed of territory taken princi- 
pally from the counties of Wayne and Franklin> 
which counties were created at the same time by an 
act of the Assembly of Indiana Territory passed 
November 27, 1810, to take effect from February 1, 
1811. 

Going another step backward, the counties of 
Wayne and Franklin were formed from Dearborn and 
Clark, which originally embraced a large scope of 
country, out of which many counties were subse- 
quently formed. 

The western boundaries of Wayne and Franklin 
Counties was the western boundary line of the "Twelve- 
Mile Purchase," which boundary line with reference 
to Fayette County as it is at present, extended from a 
point in the northeastern corner of Posey Township, 
about a quarter of a mile west of the eastern bound- 
ary of the township, in a southwest diagonal direc- 
tion, passing through the townships of Posey, Har- 
rison, Connersville, Columbia and Orange, to a point 
on the northern boundary lino of Franklin County as 
it is to-day, a half mile west of the eastern boundary 
of Orange Township. The line dividing the counties 
of Wayne and Franklin, as designated in the act, 
corresponded with the line which at present separates 
Connersville and Harrison Townships, and Waterloo 
and Jennings Townships. 

BOUNDABIES OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 

Act approved December 28, 1818. 

Section 1. — Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the 
State of Indiana, that from and after the first day of January 
next all that tract or parcel of country which is enclosed within 
the following boundaries shall constitute and form a new coun- 
ty to be known and designated by the name and style of the 
county of Fayette, to wit, beginning at the southeast corner 
of Section 33, Township 13, Range 13, thence north three 
miles, thence east three miles to the old boundary line; thence 
north to fractions 28 and 33. in Township 1.5, Range 14, east 
of the second principal meridian; thence west on said line to 



a line dividing Sections 27 and 28 in Township 15, Range 12, 
east of the second principal meridian; thence nortli on said 
line to a line dividing Town.ships 15 and 16; thence west six 
miles; thence south eighteen miles; thence east so far as to 
intersect the line dividing Townships 12 and 13; thence along 
said line east to the place of beginning. 

From the boundaries above described it will be 
observed by comparison that the county when formed 
was minus the strip of country it now possesses in 
eastern Jackson south of Jennings, extending two 
miles east and west and three miles north and south; 
and its eastern boundary was the " Old Boundary 
Line," or, as it is sometimes called, the " Indian 
Boundary." In 1821. when Union County was created, 
the territory east of the present eastern boundary line 
of Fayette lying between said eastern boundary and 
the "Old Boundary Line " was given to Union. By 
an act approved January 16, 1826, the strip of terri- 
tory heretofore referred to in eastern Jackson Town- 
ship was attached to Fayette. 

So much of the territory of Fayette County as it 
now exists, as lies east of the western boundary line 
of the "Twelve-Mile Purchase," and north of the line 
dividing Harrison and Connersville Townships, and 
the townships of Waterloo and Jennings, extending 
to the eastern boundary line of the county, was taken 
from Wayne County; that portion south between the 
western and eastern boundaries as above described 
from Franklin County, and all territory west of the 
western boundary line of the "Twelve-Mile Purchase," 
from the " New Purchase." 

LOCATING THE COUNTY SEAT. 

Section 3 of the act of the General Assembly 
creating the county, made provision for its seat of 
justice and appointed William Bradley, of the 
County of Switzerland; James Dill and John Watts, 
of Dearborn County; Williamson Dunn, of Jefferson 
County, and John F. Boss, of Clark County, Com- 
missioners, for the purpose of locating the same. 
They were to convene at the house of John McCormac, 
in Fayette County, on the third Monday of February, 
1819. These five Commissioners assembled at the 
house designated, February 16, 1819, but adjourned 
without accomplishing the object in view, however. 
On the day following they again Convened and ' ' pro- 



58 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



ceeded to fix and establish tlie permanent seat of jus- 
tice in and for Fayette County, to be in the public 
square laid off and recorded by Joshua Harlan, in 
the town of Conneravillo, county of Fayette and State 
of Indiana, on the northwest quarter of Section 25, 
in Township 14, Range 12 east ot second meridian, in 
the district of lands offered for sale at Cincinnati- 
Said square is bounded on the northeast by Monrge 
Street, and on the southwest by Market Street, as laid 
off and recorded by John Conner and Joshua Harlan, 
and as by the plat of said town. Permanent seat of 
justice declared as above, and fixed, February 17» 
1819." 

COUNTY BDILDINGS. 

First Jail. — At a special meeting of the Board of 
Commissioners, held March 6, 1819, it was ordered 
that "there shall be a jail built and erected on the 
public square on which the seat of justice is estab- 
lished, in the town of Connersville, in and for the 
county of Fayette, and on the west side of an alley 
running through said public square, nearly in a 
north and south direction, at or next to where the 
schoolhouse now stands; which said jail shall be 
built on the following plan: to be built with logs 
thirty feet long by sixteen, hewn to a square twelve 
inches thick; two partition walls of logs of the same 
size; floor and loft to be laid of logs of the same size 
aforesaid, the middle room to be twelve feet in the 
clear, the other two rooms seven feet each in the 
clear; the logs out of which said jail is to be built 
to be of good sound oak, cherry, red elm, honey 
locust, or ash timber; the logs, when said jail is 
raised, to be let in by a half dovetail in such a man- 
ner as to let the logs as'near together as they conven- 
iently can be; the upper and lower floor to be laid 
80 as the timbers will touch from end to end; to be 
under-framed with good stone, one foot under ground 
and one foot above the surface of the ground; each 
room of said jail to be ceiled inside except the under 
part of the upper floor, with oak plank an inch and a 
half in thickness, well seasoned, and not to exceed 
twelve inches in width, and to be well spiked with 
iron spikes at least four inches in length and not less 
than eleven to each plank; said jail to be at least 
nine feet between the floors, and one round of logs 
above the upper floor, as before mentioned, on which 
upper round of logs the rafters shall so far be pro- 
jected as to give an eave twelve inches clear of the 
wall; said jail to be covered with poplar joint shin- 
gles not exceeding eighteen inches in length; two 
outside doors and one on the inside, the doors to be 
made out of oak plank, one inch and a half in thick- 
ness, well doubled and spiked with spikes at least 
four inches in length, to be placed not to exceed four 
inches apart and clinched in the inside of each door; 



each door to be two feet in width, two iron bars to 
be fixed to each outside door, which bars to be one- 
half inch by two inches, one end of each bar to be 
fastened to the logs on each side of the door by a 
staple, and the other end to be locked to a staple on 
the opposite side of the door; one window to be in 
each room, twelve inches by eighteen in size, iron 
grates, of an inch and a quarter in size, fixed in each 
window, two inches apart, said grates to be well 
plastered in at least three inches on the upper and 
lower part of. each of said windows; said jail doors 
to be well hung with good and sufficient strap hinges; 
the whole of the work on said jail to be done in a 
workmanlike manner. 

" The building of this jail is to be set up and 
offered at public sale and outcry to the lowest bidder 
at the public square in the town of Connersville on 
the 13th day of this instant * * * to be 
completed by the first day of September next at the 
expense of the county." The Sheriff was to attend 
to the selling of it. The contract was let to Jonathan 
John and the building was completed within the time 
specified. The jail was examined and accepted by 
the Commissioners in August, 1819, and the contrac- 
tors allowed $704 for its construction. 

First Court House. — In November, 1819, the 
Commissioners agreed upon a plan for a coiu-t house. 
The building was to be constructed of brick, and to 
be forty feet square and two stories high — the first 
story eighteen feet high, the second fourteen feet 
high. The front half of the lower floor was to be 
constructed of brick, and the other half of oak or ash 
plank, one inch and a quarter thick, and not more 
than eight inches in width. The second floor was to 
be laid with oak or ash plank of the same description 
as the rear half of the lower floor. In the first story 
there were to be three windows in each side and end, 
except in front, where in the center of the building 
there were to be folding doors, with a window on 
either side. The windows were each to have twenty- 
four lights, 8x10 inches in size, and the window 
which was to be immediately behind the Judge's 
bench was to be two and one-half feet higher than 
the other windows. On each side of the second 
story there were to be three windows of the same 
size and description as those given above. There 
were to be two fire-places below in the southwest and 
northwest corners of the building, and three tire- 
places in the second story. Two girders (14x12 feet) 
were to extend through the center of the house (one 
above and one below) from side to side, equidistant 
from either side of the house, each to be supported 
by two columns, which were to be well turned and 
round, and thirteen inches in diameter at the bottom, 
and proportionally small at the top. The roof was 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



59 



to bo pitched from each side to the center, from 
whence was to be raised a cupola, eight feet in diam- 
eter, and thirty-two feet in height from its pedestal; 
from the top of the cupola was to extend a spire ten 
feet high. A handsomely gilded ball fifteen inches 
in diameter, and a neat vane were to ornament the 
spire; above the vane was to be extended across the 
spire a bar with a gilt ball on each side, and a neat 
cap was to be placed on the top of the spire. 

Returning to the interior of the building, we 
mention that through the center of the house on the 
ground floor, and along the edge of the wooden floor, 
was to be a hand rail and banisters, and immediately 
under the middle window in the rear side of the house 
was to be raised a bench, for the Judges of the court, 
two and one-half feet from the floor — the bench to be 
banistered, and the stairway to ascend thereto was 
also to be banistered. This room was to be provided 
with jury boxes, a criminal box and other requisites. 
On the second floor there was to be a partition across 
the house from north to south, the west portion of 
which was to be divided into two rooms, and the east 
half of that floor was also to be divided by a parti- 
tion. The walls were to be painted and penciled, 
the roof painted Spanish brown color, the cupola 
white, and the whole of the interior of the building 
of the latter color, excepting the Judge's bench, jury 
boxes and banisters, which were to be painted blue. 
The contract for the erection of the building was to 
be sold by the Sheriff, on the last Saturday in Novem- 
ber, 1819. It appears that this contractor was Jona- 
than John, as the building was accepted by the Com- 
missioners from him in August, 1822, and the total 
amount paid him was $1,262.50. 

This building was one among the early brick 
structures of Fayette County. It stood on the center 
front of the public square fronting to the east, and was 
the court house of the county for nearly thirty years. 

First Clerk and Recorder's Office. — In September, 
1825, the Board of Justices of the Peace authorized 
Jonathan McCarty to erect a building for the offices 
of the Clerk and Recorder. We fail to find anything 
of record showing to whom the contract was let, or 
when the house was constructed; however, in March, 
1827, Mr. McCarty was allowed the sum of $220. 40J 
for having erected such building — so much of it as 
was then completed. We are informed that the build- 
ing stood on the northwest corner" of the public 
square and had but two comisartments, and that the 
amount above named would have erected such a struct- 
ure, so it is quite likely that the house was about 
completed when that sum was allowed. It was con- 
structed of wood. 

Second Clerk and Recorder's Office. — This was a 
one-story brick building, 36x20 feet, and stood on 



the southeast corner of the public square. It had two 
rooms and was constructed by Sherman Scofield. 
Gabriel Ginn was appointed by the Commissioners, at 
the May meeting, 1833, to superintend the erection of 
the building. 

Second Jail. — The question of a new county prison 
seems to have been agitated in the spring of 1834, 
for in May of that year the Commissioners offered a 
prize of $10 to the one who would furnish the best 
model for jail of three rooms. John Sample, Jr., 
was awarded the prize, and one of Fayette County's 
distinguished citizens — the Hon. Samuel W. Parker 
— was allowed $3 for "getting the model." At the 
fall term of the Circuit Court the Judges recommend- 
ed the refitting of the old jail after a plan submitted 
by Elijah Corbin. However, this was not done, for 
in November, 1834, Gabriel Ginn and George Fry- 
barger were appointed agents to superintend the build- 
ing of a county jail, and to enter into a contract with 
Philip Mason after the model for a jail heretofore 
submitted by Philip Mason. 

The building was constructed of brick, was a 
story and a half high, having three apartments, two 
below and one above. It stood on the south side of 
the public square, and was erected at a cost of $800. 
This was the county prison until 1849. 

Second Court House, First Jailer's Residence and 
Third Jail. — This, the present court house, was 
completed as a court house, jailer's residence and jail, 
and received by the Commissioners November 12, 
1849. In June, 1847, the Commissioners of the 
county entered into an agreement with John Elder, 
of Marion County, Ind., for the construction of the 
building, which was to be completed on or before Oc- 
tober, 1849, in consideration for which they were to 
pay Mr. Elder $20,000. The "Indiana Gazetteer" 
published the year that the building was completed 
thus speaks of it: "It is one of the most spacious, 
convenient, and substantial buildings of its kind in 
the State, — all the county offices are located on the 
first floor, in good sized office rooms. In connection 
with each office are ample tire proof rooms for the 
security of their books and papers. The court room, 
jurors' rooms (of which there are four) are all on the 
upper story. In the rear of the center building there 
is attached a wing two stories high, which are con- 
structed six dormitories, or cells, for prisoners. The 
prisoners can be taken to and from the court from a 
rear passage by a door entering immediately into the 
court room." 

The building is constructed of brick and stands 
on the public square facing the east. In 1881 im- 
provements to the extent of about $8,000 were made 
upon the interior of the building; the jail was taken 
out and the space converted into rooms for the use of 



60 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



the county; alterations were made in the court-room, 
with other minor changes in the building. 

The following facts concerning the public square 
and county buildings that have been located thereon 
may be of interest to some: 

The old locust trees that stood in the court house 
yard and about the public square, and which for near- 
ly a half century beautified the grounds and furnished 
in the heated season refreshing shade, were planted in 
the spring of 1835. Their removal took place in De- 
cember, ISSl. 

In January, 1849, the old court house, Clerk and 
Recorder's ofHce (second) and the old jail were sold 
by the Commissioners. The court house and jail 
were pui'chased by A. B. Conwell for S575; and the 
other building by Sherman Scolield for §96. 

The bell that was suspended in the old court 
house was sold to the Presbyterian Church for §117. 

In June, 18-19, Hemy Goodlander and John El- 
der were appointed a committee to purchase a bell 
and clock for the new court house, and for that pur- 
pose there was appropriated S600. 

Fourth Jail and Slieriff''s Residence. — This beauti- 
ful two-story brick building with highly ornamented 
stone trimmings is located on Fourth Street, opposite 
the court house, and faces the north. The rear of the 
building forms the jail, which with the basement or 
cellar is three stories high; underground is the dun- 
geon, consisting of a cell about ten feet square. 
On the ground floor is one apartment, in size about 
3(3x31feet, and contains four cells; above are locat- 
ed six cells, two of which are for females. The con- 
tract for the construction of this building was 
awarded to J. W. Perkinson, of Indianapolis, May 3, 
1880, for $14,900. The architect was E. J. Hodson. 
The house was completed and occupied in the spring 
of 1881. 

Poor Asylum. — Until 1836 the paupers in Fay- 
ette, Union and Franklin Counties were under the 
charge of township officers, who let the contract for 
the maintenance of the unfortunate poor to the low- 
est responsible bidder. On the 26th of December, 
1834, the Commissioners of the three counties named 
met at Fairfield, in Franklin County, for the purpose 
of jointly erecting an asylum for the poor of the three 
counties. Subsequently a farm located in Jackson 
Township, Fayette County, was purchased of Thomas 



Clark, and the Commissioners met thereon, August 10, 
1835, and agreed "to build an asylum, to be in readi- 
ness by the first Monday in May next (1830)." The 
building was to be of brick. It was completed|and the 
farm let to the highest bidder. 

May 9, 1836, Isaac Gardner, of Union County, 
was chosen as Superintendent of the institution at a 
salary of 1500 a year. The first Board of Directors 
were Joseph D. Thompson, Martin Williams and 
Zachariah Ferguson. The paupers of Fayette Coun- 
ty were ordered removed from the several townships 
to the asylum in May, 1830. The total expense of 
keeping up the asylum for the year 1836, and up to 
February 9, 1837, was §1,709.41 J^. From February 

9, 1837, to March 6, 1S3S, the total expense of the 
asylum was $1,040.15^, of which amount Fayette 
County's apportionment was S349.03|. Among the 
early Superintendents of the asylum while controlled 
by the three counties, and in the order given, were 
Isaac Gardner, William Riggsby and William Bai-n- 
ard, each serving several yeai^s. 

In June, 1856, the Commissioners of Union Coun- 
ty purchased the interest in the farm ]of the coun- 
ties of Fayette and Franklin for the consideration of 
§3,210.66 and §3,696.52 to those counties respect- 
ively, their paupers to be removed on or before March 

10, 1857. 

In September, 1856, the Commissioners of Fay- 
ette County having purchased a portion of the pres- 
ent infirmary farm, contracted with Sherman Scofield 
for the erection of a poor-house building thereon, 
for §7,000, to be done on or before June, 1857. The 
present large and commodious two-story brick struct- 
ure was received from Mr. Scofield in August, 1857. 
Several tracts of land have since been added to the 
farm, which lies on the'ridge northwest of the city 
and commands a most beautiful view, imtil it now 
comprises 173 acres of land. On either side of the 
main building is a large wing and beneath a spacious 
basement or cellar. 

The total expense of keeping up the institution 
from March 1, 1S5S. to March 1, 1859, was §996.99. 
The first Superintendent of the asylum of Fayette 
County was William Custer. His successor was 
Peter Reed, since which the Superintendents have 
been as follows: William Custer, P. A. Morse, Jacob 
Ridge and John B. Salyer, the present incumbent. 



•f^; 
/• 



^^ ^5«^s 






\ 



/ V 




0^^<^/ /&LSi^ 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



63 



CHAPTER VII. 



THE COURTS AND CIVIL LIST. 

CIRCUIT COURT— THE BRADBURN TRIAL— PROBATE COURT— COURT OF COMMON PLEAS— ASSOCIATE JUDGES- 
PROBATE JUDGES— SHERIFFS— CLERKS OF THE COURTS— RECORDERS— AUDITORS— TREASURERS— JUSTICES 
OF THE PEACE— COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND EARLY PROCEEDINGS— COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 



THE history of Fayette County as a civil division 
began January 1, 1819. 

Tlie first term of the Circuit Court was held 
in Connersville, beginning May 3, 1819. Present, 
John Watts, President Judge; Train Caldwell and 
Edward Webb, Associate Judges for the County 
of Fayette. John Watts produced his commission 
as Circuit Judge of the Third Circuit of the State of 
Indiana, on which was endorsed the oath of office. 

Jonathan McCarty produced his commission as 
Clerk of the Fayette Circuit Court, on which was en- 
dorsed his oath of office. 

William W. Wick, James Noble, John Test, Will- 
iam C. Drew, D. J. Caswell, James B. Ray, James 
Rariden and Nathaniel French were admitted to prac- 
tice as attorneys and counsellors at law in this court. 

William W. Wick was appointed Prosecuting 
Attorney for the county, and took the oath of office. 
Isaac Johnson was admitted in gratia for the pres- 
ent term to practice as attorney and counsellor at law. 

John Conner, Sheriff of the county, returned into 
coart the following named grand jurors for the pres- 
ent term of court: William Helm (whom the court 
appointed Foreman), Joseph Minor, Nicholas Reagan, 
Allen Crisler, Oran Stoddard, Jacob Case, Sr. , Nich- 
olas Pumphrey. Otheriel Swim, Anthony Emily, Paul 
Davis, James Webster, John Perrin, James Brown- 
lee, Martin McCray, John Wilson, John McCormick, 
James Bolton and George M. Smith. 

The Court appointed John McCormick as Consta- 
ble to attend upon the grand jury. 

John Alexander Dailey was admitted by the court 
as an attorney and counsellor at law on his produc- 
ing a certificate of his having had a license from the 
Territorial Government of Indiana Territory, and to 
him were administered the several oaths required by 
the constitution and the laws of Indiana. 

The first civil case tried was that of , vs- 

, "In an action of trespass on the case for 

trover." It was a motion to discharge defendant 
from bail on the ground that the affidavit was bad. 
The motion was sustained and he discharged. 

There were nine bills returned by the grand jury. 



eight of which were for assault and battery, and one 
for an affray — none of which, it seems, were tried at 
the first term of court. 

The first jury trial was that of a case of debt. The 
jury was composed of the following named: Archi- 
bald Johnson, Stephen Sims, Jehu Perkins, Giles 
Ford, John Rees, James W' hite, Absalom Burkham^ 
Robert Royster, John Miller, Robert Alexander, 
Alexander Hathaway and Samuel Bell. John Rees 
was Foreman. 

The verdict was for the plaintiff. "It was then 
considered by the court that the plaintiff do recover 
of defendant the sum of $80, the amount mentioned 
in said plaintiff's declaration, with interest thereon at 
six per cent per annum from April 12, 1818, until 
paid, besides the costs and charges." 

For the first term of the Fayette County Circuit 
Court William W. Wick was allowed $20 for his 
services as Prosecuting Attorney. 

John McCormick was allowed $2 for two days' 
services as Constable attending the grand jury. 

Reason Davis and John McCormick were each 
allowed $1 for attending and waiting on the court. 

At this term of the court there were more than a 
dozen cases on the docket, nearly all of which were 
cases for debt, and the greater number of them were 
disposed of, and pretty generally in favor of the 
plaintiffs. 

There were two indictments for assault and bat- 
tery, both of which were disposed of, one pleading 
guilty and was fined |1 and to pay the cost of prose- 
cution; and in the other case the court ordered "to 
quash the indictment." 

One case for divorce came up and was settled in 
favor of the plaintiff. The attorneys in this case 
were William W. Wick for the petitioner, and Daniel 
J. Caswell (especially appointed) in opposition. 

This term of the Fayette Circuit Court was held 
at the house of George Reed, located on what is now 
Central Avenue, west side and second door south of 
Fourth Street. The sum allowed Mr. Reed for the 
use of the house was $12. 

The Hon. Oliver H. Smith, in his "Early Indi- 



64 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



. ana, " thus speaks of his recollections of the early 
courts of the Third Judicial Circuit, of which the 
county of Fayette comprised a part: 

" The Third Judicial Circuit included what was 
then (about 1820) known as the Whitewater country, 
and extended from the county of Jefferson north to 
the State of Michigan, some 200 miles in length, and 
from the Ohio line on the east, to White Kiver, some 
seventy-five miles west. The country was new, 
sparsely settled, and being on the western frontier, 
the towns and villages were filled with Indians trad- 
ing their peltries, wild game and moccasins orna- 
mented with the quills of the porcupine with the 
settlers, for calicoes, whisky, powder, lead, beads and 
Buch other articles as met their fancy. The popula- 
tion of the country embraced by the circuit was a 
hardy, fearless and generally honest but more or less 
reckless people, such as are usually to be found ad- 
vancing upon the frontiers from more civilized life, 
and consequently there were more collisions among 
them, more crimes committed calling for the action 
of the Criminal Courts, than is common in older set- 
tled and more civilized parts of the older States. 

" The judiciary system at the time referred to was 
like the country in its infancy. The Circuit Court 
was composed of a Presiding Judge, elected by the 
Legislature, who presided in all the courts in the 
circuit, and two Associate Judges, elected in each 
county l)y the people. These ' Side Judges,' as they 
were then called, made no pretensions to any particu- 
lar knowledge of the law, but still they had the power 
to overrule the Presiding Judge and give the opinion 
of the court, and sometimes they even ' out-guessed ' 
the President, giving the most preposterous reasons 
imaginable for their decisions, as in one instance, that 
a writ of scire facias to revive a judgment, would not 
lie unless it was sued out within a year and a day. 
The decision of the Associates was affirmed in the 
Supreme Court, for other reasons, of course. The 
com-t houses were either frame or log buildings, ar- 
ranged to hold the court in one end and the grand 
jury in the other, the petit jury being accommodated 
in some neighboring outbuildings. The Clerks had 
very little qualification for their duties; still they 
were honest, and the most of them could write more 
legibly than Rufus Choate, United States Senator. 
The Sheriffs were elected by the people as they are 
now, and seemed to have been selected as candidates 
on account of their fine voices, to call the jurors and 
witnesses from the woods, from the doors of the 
court house, and their ability to run down and catch 
offenders. The most important personages in the 
country, however, were the young lawyers, univer- 
sally called ' Squires ' by old and young, male and 
female. Queues were much in fashion, and nothing 



was more common than to see one of these young 
' Squires ' with a wilted rorum hat, that had once been 
stiffened with glue in its better days, upon his head, 
from the back part of which hung a queue three feet 
long, tied from head to tip with an eel skin, walking 
in evident superiority, in his own estimation, among 
the people in the court yard, sounding the public 
mind as to his prospects as a candidate for the Legis- 
lature. There were no caucuses or conventions then. 
Every candidate brought himself out and ran upon 
his own hook. If he got beat, as the most of them 
did, he had nobjdy to blame but himself for becom- 
ing a candidate; still, he generally charged it_ upon 
his friends for not voting for him, and the next sea- 
son found him once more upon the track, sounding 
his own praises. 

"The court rooms in those days were prepared 
and furnished with much simplicity, and yet they 
seemed to answer all the purposes absolutely neces- 
sary to the due administration of justice. The build- 
ing generally contained two rooms, the court room 
being the larger, at one end of which there was a 
platform elevated some three feet for the Judges, with 
a long bench to seat them. These benches were 
very substantial in general, sufficient to sustain the 
most weighty Judges, yet on one occasion the bench 
gave way, and down came three fat, aldermanly 
Judges on the floor. One of them, quite a wag, see- 
ing the ' Squires ' laughing, remarked, ' Gentlemen, 
this is a mighty weak bench.' The bar had their 
benches near the table of the Clerk, and the crowd 
was kept back by a long pole fastened with withes at 
the ends. The crowds at that day thought the hold- 
ing of a court a great affair; the people came hun- 
dreds of miles to see the Judges and hear the lawyers 
'plead,' as they called it. On one occasion there 
came on to be tried before the jury an indictment for 
an assault and battery against a man for pulling the 
nose of another who had insulted him. The court 
room was filled to suffocation; the two Associate 
Judges were on the bench; the evidence had been 
heard and public expectation was on tiptoe. All was 
silent as death, when the young ' Squire,' afterward 
Judge Charles H. Test, arose and addressed the 
court: ' If the court please — .' He was here inter- 
rupted by Judge Mitchell from the bench, ' Yes, we 
do please. Go to the bottom of the case, young man, 
the people have come in to hear the lavryers plead.' 
The young Squire, encouraged by the kind response 
of the Judge, proceeded to address the jury some 
three hours, in excited eloquence, upon the great 
provocation his client had received to induce his 
docile nature to bound over all legal barriers and take 
the prosecutor by the nose. All eyes were upon him, 
and as he closed. Judge Winchall roared out, ' Cap- 



HISTORY OP PAYETTE COUNTY. 



65 



ital! I did not think it was in him!' The jury 
returned a verdict of 'not guilty,' amid the raptur- 
ous applause of the audience. Court adjourned, 
and the people returned home to tell their children 
that they had heard the lawyers 'plead.' " 

THE BBADBUKN TRIAL.* 

Among the lirst of the great tragic trials in the 
State of Indiana was that of Dr. John Bradburn, of 
this county, on an indictment for murder, at the 
time Oliver H. Smith was County Prosecutor for the 
State. The facts of the case were briefly these: " Dr. 
Bradburn was an eminent surgeon, a man of great 
muscular power, and of the most indomitable per- 
sonal courage. I have scarcely ever seen a more 
athletic man, and I never knew a man of greater 
bravery. He lived some four or five miles from Con- 
nersville. In general the Doctor was highly re- 
spected, but it seems that he had giveQ some real or 
imaginary cause of offense to several young men of 
equal respectability in his neighborhood, who took it 
into their heads that they would take the Doctor from 
his house in the night, ride him on a rail to the 
water and then duck him. The Doctor by some 
means got wind of what was going on, and prepared 
lumself with weapons for defense, among which was 
a long dissecting knife with two edges. The young 
men, unaware of his prejjaration, fixed upon a dark 
night to carry their pilans into execution. Capt. 
Robert L. Broaddus was selected as their leader. 
About 12 o'clock at night the party silently ap- 
proached the dwelling of the Doctor and tried to open 
the door, but found it fast. The Doctor was in bed 
in an adjoining room, wide-awake, with his large 
knife under his pillow, cool and prepared. The out- 
side party placed an iron crow-bar, which they had 
brought with them, under the door, threw it off its 
hinges and entered the room, carrying with them the 
ropes prepared to tie the Doctor before they took him 
from the house. In the meantime the Doctor re- 
mained silently sitting upon his bed, with his knife 
in his hands. The room was dark. The party ad- 
vanced, feeling their way, until the foremost, young 
Alexander, about eighteen yeafs of age, reached the 
bed, when he received a fatal stab with the knife, 
turned, rushed to the door, stepped out, and fell dead 
in the yard. Not a word was spoken. The next, 
young Caldwell, about twenty years of age, ad 
vanced, evidently not knowing the fate of Alexander, 
until he came within the grasp of the Doctor, when 
the fatal knife was thrust through bis side, penetrat- 
ing his heart. He uttered a loud groan, turned, fled 
to the door, passed a short distance into the yard, fell 
and died near the body of Alexander. The groan 

•From Hon. 0. H. Smith's "Early Indiana." I 



of Galdwel) alarmed the others, who immediately re- 
treated for the door, pursued by the Doctor, and one 
other of the party received a severe but not a mortal 
wound. Capt. Broaddus told me that at one time the 
Doctor was between him and the door, and as he 
passed to go out the Doctor struck at him with his 
knife, and just grazed his side. It was very evident 
that but for the groan of Caldwell not one of the 
assailants would have left the house alive. Such 
was the awful tragedy at the house. 

"The young men killed were of the very first fam- 
ilies of the county; indeed of the State. The excite 
ment was intense; the Doctor gave himself up, and 
was put in jail. While the inquest was sitting over 
the dead bodies he was calm and composed, and stated 
all about the transaction, and I have no doubt truth- 
fully, for he was a man of truth, although his life 
was at stake. He had been my client, and on this, 
the most trying occasion of his life, he insisted that 
I should defend him. I told him I was the Attorney 
of the State. ' You get but $120, a year, and I wil' 
give you $500 for this case alone.' I, however, at 
once told him that no fee could induce me to forsake 
the State at such a juncture, and declined further 
conversation with him. He sent to Brookville for 
John T. McKinney to defend him. The court met; 
the grand jury found a bill for murder; the trial 
came on; the facts substantially as stated were proved, 
with the admission of the Doctor. The court house 
was crowded with an excited population; Gen. 
McKinney made a strong speech in the defense, bu^ 
it evidently fell upon unwilling ears. My closing 
speech was again and again applauded by the crowdt 
and the applause as often reprimanded bj' the court 
and the Sheriff. It was evident that the jury and 
the audience were with me, and had the case gone to 
the jury without any charge from the court. Doctor 
Bradburn would have been illegally convicted, I have 
no doubt. But Judge Eggleston, as we say, had the 
'closing,' a last speech, and nobly did he sustain 
his high character as a Judge on that occasion. He 
took up the case calmly, but firmly; examined its 
principles, and laid down the law of self-defense, or 
excusable homicide, that governed the prosecution, 
step by step, until, I am satisfied, there was neither 
lawyer, juror, nor bystander in the court room that 
did not acquit the prisoner before the jury left the 
box. The jury retired but a few minutes and re- 
turned a verdict of not guilty, on the ground of self- 
defense. So ended this long-tobe remembered case 
in old Fayette." 

[We had desired and hoped to be able to give an 
account of the awful tragedy pictured above as it ap- 
peared, written at the time of its occurrence, in the 
neighboring press. Though diligent search has been 



66 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



made for files of papers that might contain it, they 
have not been found. The tragedy took place on 
what was known as the Isgrig farm, located on Lick 
Creek about mid-way between Connersville and Har- 
risburg, on the night of May 27, 1825, — the night of 
the day on which was a general muiiter at Harrisburg. 
The names of the young men killed were Nesbit Alex- 
ander, and James Caldwell, each being in the twenty- 
fifth year of his age. We learn from Uncle Joseph 
Caldwell, a brother of James, that Mr. Smith is mis- 
taken in regard to the circumstances of Caldwell's 
death. Young Caldwell received a stab just below 
the right nipple, when he rushed through the house, 
hallooing as he went, "Knife, boys!" which alarmed 
the others, causing them to retreat. He ran some 
fifty or one hundred yards to a fence near by, and 
from there was taken by the other boys to the house 
of Samuel Dehaven, where he remained several days, 
then was removed to the home of his parents, where 
Joseph Caldwell now resides, where he died June 3, 
1825. William Caldwell, a cousin of James, was 
another of the party who received a wound from the 
knife. With this exception the circumstances of the 
tragedy as given by Mr. Smith are believed to be 
about correct. The Whiter. ] 

PROBATE CODRT. 

Until the year 1829, the business of the Probate 
Court was transacted before tlie Associate Judges of 
the county. The- first session of this court was held 
at Connersville before Train Caldwell and Edward 
Webb, Associate Judges of Fayette County, begin- 
ning on the 26th day of April, 1819; present also 
were Jonathan McCarty and John Conner, Clerk of 
the Courts and Sheriff of the county, respectively. 
The first business was transacted on the following 
day, when appeared William and Morgan Vardiman, 
administrators of all goods, chattels, and credits of 
John S. Vardiman, deceased, and produced and ex- 
hibited an inventory of the appraisements of the 
goods, chattels, and the estate of said John S. Vardi. 
man, deceased, as appraised by William Callon and 
Abraham Bays, which was ordered filed in the ofiice 
of the Clerk of the Circuit Court; and the inventory 
of the sale of said decedent's estate, which was ex- 
hibited by the administrators as sold by them on the 
26th of February, 1819, was by the court ordered 
recorded and the original filed in the Clerk's 
office. 

The business of this court was first transacted 
before a Probate Judge in September, 1829, when 
Philip Mason appeared as such officer (producing his 
commission September 7). Mr. Mason was succeeded 
by Justice Wright, whose name is first mentioned in 
this connection at the August term of court, 1834, and 



who served until the office was abolished by the con- 
stitution of 1850. 

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. 

Under the constitution of 1850, the business of 
the Probate Court was classified with that of the Court 
of Common Pleas, which court was formed by the new 
constitution of 1850, the first term of which court 
was convened at Connersville in January, 1853, with 
John S. Reid on the bench, as the first Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas. Mr. Reid discharged the 
duties of this office until the December term of the 
court, 1860, when he was succeeded by Jeremiah M. 
Wilson, who served until the spring term of court, 
1865, then succeeded by John F. Kibby. Mr. Kibby 
served until 1873, when the business of this court and 
that of the Probate Court were thrown into the Cir- 
cuit Court. 

ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 

1819-20, Train Caldwell, Edward Webb; 1821, 
Edward Webb, and until July 1821, Train Caldwell, 
when succeeded by William Helm; 1822-24, Edward 
Webb, William Helm; 1825, Edward Webb, and 
until the fall term of court, William Helm, when suc- 
ceeded by James Brownlee; 1826-27, Edward Webb, 
James Brownlee; 1828-32, Edward Webb, William 
Miller; 1883-36, Edward Webb, John Treadway; 
1837, Edward Webb, and until March, John Tread- 
way, when succeeded by Stanhope Royster; 1838-39, 
Edward Webb, Stanhope Royster; 1840-46, Edward 
Webb, Jeremiah A. Wilson; 1847-51, Joshua Mc- 
intosh, John Scott. 

PROBATE JUDGES. 

Philip Mason, September term, 1829, succeeded at 
the August term, 1834, by Justice Wright, who served 
until the office was abolished by the constitution of 
1850. 

SHERIFFS. 

1819, John Conner; 1820-24, John M. Wilson; 
1824-28', William Caldwell; 1828-30, Robert D. 
Helm; 1830-32, Gabriel Ginn; 1832-34, William 
Dickey; 1834-38, John Willey; 1838 to the fall term 
of 1841, Thomas Lines; 1842 (spring term), Joshua 
Mcintosh; 1842 (fall term) to 1846, William M. Smith; 
1846-50, Joseph Clark; 1850-54, L. W. McCormick; 
1854-58, William McCleary; 1858-60, William J. 
Orr; 1860-64, John Savage; 1864-68, William Cot- 
ton; 1868-74, J. S. Miller; 1874-78, Dr. B. Ball; 
1878-82, John Lair; 1882, present, Samuel Kirkham. 

CLERKS OF THE COURTS. 

1819-27, Jonathan McCarty; in December, 1827, 
Gabriel Ginn was appointed Clerk pro tern by the 
Associate Judges, McCarty having resigned; Septem- 



HISTORY OP PAYETTE COUNTY. 



67 



ber, 1828-32, William Caldwell; 1832-42, Gabriel 
Ginn; 18-42-46, George Ginn; 1846-58, Amos R. 
Edwards; 1858-66, Confucius Edwards; 1866-74, 
Gilbert^Trusler; 1874 to February, 1881, N. T. Barn- 
ard; February, 1881, present, Thomas Little. 



RECORDERS. 



1819-22, Joseph C. Reed; 1822-29, Jonathan 
McCarty; 1829-45, John Tate; 1845-46, Lewis C. 
Fouts; 1846-57, Joseph Tate; 1857-65, James K. 
Rhodes; 1865-72, Daniel Rench; 1872. Charles E. 
Smith (first deed recorded in February and last in 
November); 1872-80, Charles B. Saunders; 1880, 
present, William N. Young. 



AUDITORS. 

The oflSce was created in 1841; 1841-52, Daniel 
Rench; 1852-59, Job Stout; 1859-67, James Elliott; 
1867-75, William H. Green; 1875-83, Charles R. 
Williams; 1883, present, John Payne. 

TREASURERS. 

1819-24, Newton Claypool (resigned in the sum- 
mer of 1824, and in August Samuel Vance was 
appointed); 1825, Samuel Vance; 1826, Abraham W. 
Harrison; 1827, Gabriel Ginn; 1828, George Davis, 
1829-31, Larkin Sims; 1832-47, Henry Goodlander; 
1847-50, William M. Smith; 1850-53, Joseph H. 
Clark; 1853-57, William H. Beck; 1857-61, Joseph 
T. Tate; 1861-63, William Watton; 1863-65, Alfred 
B. Gates; 1865-69, James K. Rhodes; 1869-73, 
William Cotton; 1873-77, George M. Nelson; 1877- 
1881, James D. Henry; 1881, present, Robert Utter. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

A complete record of the persons who have served 
as Justices of the Peace in Fayette County seems not 
to have been kept, yet several fragmentary records 
are found in the court house, from which, together 
with such names as appear on record, as serving in 
that capacity, through the various records of the 
county, the greater number of Justices of the county 
from its organization can be given, and are set forth 
in the following list. Where it can be shown, the 
date of commission, or the date each was qualified, 
or took the required oath of office, and the sub-divis- 
ion of the county to which he belonged, are given: 

At the meeting of the first Board of the Justices 
of the Peace of the county held September 6, 1824, 
were present Moses Fry (Connersville Township, and 
who was in office at the time of his death in 1834), 
Daniel Skinner (Waterloo), Manlove Caldwell (Posey), 
Jacob Goodlander (Harrison), Robert D. Helm, Dan- 
iel Noble, Justice Wright (the latter of Connersville), 



John Boyd, Joseph Hawkins and James Buchanan 
(the latter of Columbia). In 1819 John Perrin, 
Joseph Bell, Benjamin McCarty and Philip Mason 
appeared as Justices. Manlove Caldwell's election 
occurred in the spring of 1821; 1825, William Arnold 
and Isaac Thomas (Orange); 1826, Marks Crume, 
Triplet Lockhart, Gabriel Ginn, Samuel Fuller and 
John Conner; 1827, Thomas Moffit (Orange); 1829, 
Samuel Hutchings (Jennings), Simon Carpenter (Con- 
nersville); Elijah Corbin (Jackson); 1830, Horatio 
Mason, Elijah Corbin, Mathias Dawson and Henry 
C. Lee (the latter of Waterloo); October 24, 1832, 
Isaac Metcalf (Posey) commissioned, resigned in 
1834; 1833, Moses Williams (Jennings), J. D. 
Thompson (Jackson), John Davidson (Columbia), and 
George K. Cook; 1834, James C. Rea, July 12, and 
July 24, 1839; William A. H. Tate (Connersville) 
commissioned December 4, 1847, December 4, 1852, 
December 4, 1856, December 4, 1860, December 4, 
1864; C. B. Clements (Columbia), qualified Novem- 
ber 7, 1848; John McCouky, commissioned April 16, 
1849; 1849, James Baird (Connersville), commis- 
sioned July 17; C. Banister (Fairview), April 16; 
James C. Rea (Harrison), December 22, April 19, 
1855, April 20, 1859; James C. Rea, Jr., 1882; Amos 
Chapman (Waterloo), December 22; William H. 
Thomas (Waterloo) December 22; A. F. Martin 
(Orange), February 23, 1850; David Wilson, April 
19, 1850; Alexander Martney, June 13, 1851; Will- 
iam Freeman (Posey) May 10, 1851; James M. Green 
(Jackson), August, 1850, April 18, 1854; Alexander 
W. Lemon (Jennings), May 15, 1851; James Li mpus 
(Columbia), April 25, 1851, April 23, 1856, April 23, 
1864; Lorenzo D. Springer, September 26, 1851; J. 
P. Daniels (Orange), October 22, 1851, October 21, 
1856; John S. Springer (Orange), January 21, 1852, 
January 20, 1856, January 20, 1860, January 19, 
1864; Thomas T. Courtney (Jennings), January 16, 
1852; Moses Green (Waterloo), April 23, 1852; 
Raney Gillman (Waterloo), April 23, 1852, April 
23, 1856; Zimri Utter (Columbia), October 25, 
1852, December 16, 1865; Thomas E. McCon- 
nell (Fairview), November 17, 1852, November 17, 
1856; Linville Ferguson (Posey), November 17 
1852; John H. Rea (Jackson), March 29, 1853*; 
John Beck (Jennings), April 18, 1853, April 15, 
1857, May 21, 1861; James Hamilton (Connersville), 
August 5, 1853; John B. Tate (Connersville), April 15, 
1854, November 12, 1861, November 12, 1865; James 
Shortridge (Fairview), April 18, 1854; Elias R. Lake 
(Jackson), April 18, 1854; William Curnett (Jen- 
nings), April 18, 1854, April 20, 1858; John M. 
Cummins (Posey), April 18, 1854; James Beard 
(Connersville), July 16, 1854; Henson R. Hamilton 
(Waterloo), April 18, 1854; James L. Veatch (Jen- 



68 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



nings), April 22, 1856; William D. Westerfield 
(Posey), April 22, 1856, April 22, 1860; Solomon 
Brown (Columbia), October 24, 1856, October 24, 
1860; Joseph Crowley (Jackson), December 29, 1856; 
Wilson T. Cook (Waterloo), April 15, 1857; Joseph 
Marshall, October 30, 1857; John McLain (Conners- 
ville), April 20, 1858; James H. Bonham (Jackson), 
April 20, 1858; William A. Bush, April 20, 1858, 
April 22, 1862, February 10, 1879, April 13, 1880; 
George W. Callaway, April 20, 1858; Levi Carver 
(Harrison), April 5, 1858; Albert Ellis, October 11, 
1858; Israel W. Bonham (Jackson), December 10, 
1858; Amos G. Smith (Waterloo), April 22, 1860; 
John Banister (Posey), April 10, I860, April 9, 1864; 
William McCleary (Connersville), June 6, 1860; Ed- 
gar Hibbs (Columbia), April 28, 1860; Joseph P; 
Daniel (Orange), October 21, 1860, October 27, 1870, 
November 13, 1874, October, 1878; Thomas E. Mc- 
Connell (Fairview), November 16, 1860; William C. 
Forrey (Waterloo), May 21, 1861, November 13, 
1869; Samuel Crago (Columbia), December, 1861; 
David Van Sickle, December 16, 1861, April 18, 
1867; Jesse P. Elliott (Jackson), April 22, 1862; H. 
Kiugery (Jackson), April 22, 1862, September 18, 
1866; John J. Burke (Jennings), April 22, 1862. 
Freeman Johnson, April 18, 1863; Thomas G. Price 
(Waterloo), April 21, 1864; Hiram Langston (Jack- 
son), April 20, 1804, October 31, 1872; Philip N. 
Shrader (Posey), April 21, 1864; Elisha Vance (Con- 
nersville), June 5, 1864; Wilson T. Dale, August 30, 
1864, August 30, 1868, September 13, 1880; William 
Conner (Orange), October 20, 1864; Thomas Smiley 
(Fairview), November 16, 1864, April 14, 1870, April 

14, 1874; David Veatch, April 18, 1866, December 

15, 1874, October. 1876; John P. Thrasher, April 18, 
1866, October, 1876; Charles H. Stone, April 18, 1866; 
Joshua C. White, September 2, 1865; Alpheus M. 
Elder, April 18, 1866; Enoch Caldwell, April 18, 1866, 
October 27, 1870; Samuel B. Hunt, April 30, 1868; 
Benjamin German, April 20, 1869; George W. 
Hinchman, April 20, 1869; Mark Litinger, October 
27, 1870; Jacob E. Stephens (Waterloo), October 27, 
1870, April 17, 1875, June 25, 1879; Charles M. 
Stene, October 27, 1870; P. Lake, July 24, 1872; 
James Cotton, October 31, 1872, June 8, 1878; Basil 
McCann, April 1, 1874, April, 1878, April 8, 1882; 
John W. Hanna, December 5, 1874, December 5, 
1878; James M. Crawford (Posey), April 18, 1875, 
April 12, 1879; Peter C.Eshelman (Jennings), Octo- 
ber 3, 1876; William H. Hatton (Connersville), Sep- 
tember 3, 1878, April 11, 1882; Benjamin F. Simp- 
son, April 12, 1880; William Rudy, November 10, 
1880; Lewis M. Davelin, July 23, 1881; James T. 
Orickmore (Orange), April 11, 1882; Mark Littering- 
ton (Jennings), April 8, 1882. 



COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND EARLT PROCEEDINGS. 

The first Commissioners of the county of Fayette 
were Basil Roberts, Harod Newland and John 
Tynor. Their first meeting was held in Conners- 
ville, on Monday, February 8, 1819, at which the 
above named Commissioners were present. However, 
no basiness was transacted, for " it appearing to the 
Board that no Clerk ha"! yet been appointed for the 
county, and there being a probability of the Clerk 
elected for the county being commissioned shortly, it 
is ordered that this Board adjourn until to-morrow 
morning at 9 o'clock." 

In pursuance to the above the Board again assem- 
bled on the following day, when were present the 
Commissioners named and Jonathan McCarty, who 
pi-oduced his commission as Clerk of the Fayette 
County Circuit Court, and the following business was 
transacted: On motion it was ordered that the county 
of Fayette be divided into five townships, namely: 
Columbia, Connersville, Harrison, Brownsville and 
Jennings. Their boundaries were given, which will 
be omitted here and given in the township histories. 

It was ordered that the following named persons 
be appointed Inspectors of elections in and for the 
different townships: For Connersville Township, 
Marks Crume; Columbia, Morgan Vardiman; Harri- 
son, Joseph Dale; Brownsville, Richard George 
Paris; Jennings, Hugh Bell. 

It was next ordered that there be two Justices of 
the Peace allotted to each township, to be elected in 
their respective townships on the first Monday in 
March next; the Sheriff to give notice of the same. 

Ordered the following persons be appointed Con- 
stables in their respective townships: Abraham Bays 
for Columbia Township, one year; Joel White for 
Jennings Township; John McCormick, Connersville 
Township, one year; Reason Davis, Harrison Town- 
ship; Joseph Gassett, Brownsville Township. 

This completed the business of the day. Febru- 
ary 10, the Board appointed Adariah Morgan Lister 
for the county for the year 1819 (the bond required 
of him was $1,500). Newton Claypool was appointed 
Treasurer of the county, and required to give a bond 
of two good free holders security in sum of |2,000. 
John McCormick, Sr., and John Tynerwere appoint- 
ed Overseers of the Poor in Harrison Township for 
one year; Abiather Hathaway and Nicholas Reagan 
for Connersville Township; Noah Pumphrey and 
John Conner, Columbia Township; James Haughan 
and Athariel Sims, Brownsville Township; Joseph 
Vanmeter and Samuel Bell, Sr., Jennings Town- 
ship. 

Jonathan McCarty was authorized to contract for 
and procure a seal to be made of copper or brass 
with the following letters engraved thereon: " Indi- 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



69 



ana, Fayette County, B. C," which said seal when 
BO procurecl and approved by the Board shall be 
known and used for the common seal of the Board of 
County Commissioners. 

In May, 1819, A. Morgan was allowed $60 for his 
services as Lister of the county for the year. Will- 
iam W. Wick was allowed $20, the sum granted him 
by the Circuit Court for Prosecuting Attorney, at the 
May term of court. 

May 11, 1819, it was ordered that the following 
tavern rates be charged by the tavern keepers in the 
county : 
For every i pint of French brandy or wine, rum and 

imported wines $0.50 

For every i pint peach brandy or gin 25 

For every ^ pint whisliy 12J 

For porter per quart 85 

For cider per quart 12^ 

For strong beer per quart 12^ 

For dinner, breakfast or supper 25 

For lodging per night 12i 

For horse to hay per night 25 

For oats or Indian corn per gallon 13i 

In May, 1819, it was ordered that a tax levy for 
county purposes for the year 1819 be as follows: 
On each horse, mare, colt, mule or ass over the age 

of three years |0.37i 

For every town lot ($100 valuation) 50 

For each 100 acres of first-rate land 50 

For each 100 acres of second-rate land 431 

For each 100 acres of third-rate land 31i 

In November, 1819, Jonathan McCarty was 
allowed $30 for his annual allowance as Clerk to the 
Board of Commissioners for the year 1819. In Feb- 
ruary, 1820, Benjamin McCarty was appointed Lister 
of the county for that year; and for his services was 
subsequently allowed $64. 

Jonathan McCarty was allowed $50 for his serv- 
ices for the year 1819. John Conner as Sheriff of 
the county, in 1819, was allowed $50. 

The Associate Judges were generally allowed $2 
per day for their services. In June, 1820, James C. 
Rea was appointed to take the census of the county, 
for which he was allowed $2 for each 100 persons. 

The following statement exhibits the condition of 
the county treasury in November, 1820, on their set- 
tlement with Newton Claypool, the County Treasurer: 

To balance remaining in Treasury November, 1819. . $869 03 
To amount tavern licenses, taxes and notes and cer- 
tificates to this date 189 25 

Duplicates for the year 1820 946 02^ 

$2,004 30i 

Cr. by orders allowed and disbursed to date $680 06i 

By donation charge debited to Treasurer in last year' 8 

settlement 105.00 

By 5 per cent on $900, amount received and disbursed 

duringl819-20 • 45 00 

$830 06i 

Dr. to $2,004 30i 

Cr. by 830 06 

$1,174 24} 



The first marriage license recorded after the organ- 
ization of the county, was that of Stephen Philpott 
to Rebecca Hawkins. The date of the issue of the 
license was February 9, 1819. The marriage was 
solemnized by Rev. Adam Banks. 

The first deed recorded in the county was an 
indenture made January 31, 1819, by Paul Davis, 
and his wife Margaret, of Connersville Township, 
Franklin County, Ind., on the one part,'and James 
Davis, of the same township, county and State 
on the other part. It was the conveyance of the 
south half of the northeast quarter of Section 21, 
Township 14, Range 12 east, and the consideration 
was $80. The transaction was acknowledged before 
John Perin, a Justice of the Peace, January 31, 1818, 
and recorded March 23, 1819, by J. C. Reed. 

The first will recorded was that of the last will 
and testament of George Kirschman, deceased, of 
which record was made in the court house, August 
26, 1819. 

The Clerks of the courts of the county from its 
organization to 1841 were also the Clerks of the 
Board of Commissioners. In 1841 the office of 
Auditor was created, and since that time the Auditor 
of the county is also the Clerk to the Commissioners. 

CO0NTY COMMISSIONEES. 

The following is a list of the Commissioners of 
Fayette County from 1819 to 1884 inclusive: 

1819 — Basil Roberts, Harod New land, John Tyner. 

1820 — Basil Roberts, Harod Newland, John 
Tyner. 

1821 — Basil Roberts, John Tyner, Stanhope Roy- 
ster, Harod Newland, James M. Ray (Newland was 
succeeded in May by James M. Ray, who was ap- 
pointed until the August election, and was succeeded 
by Royster). 

1822 — Basil Roberts, Stanhope Royster, Samuel 
Vance; the latter having been appointed to till a va- 
cancy caused by the death of Tyner, was succeeded 
in August by Jonathan John. 

1823— Basil Roberts, Stanhope Royster, Jonathan 
John, the latter being succeeded in August by Alex- 
ander Dale. 

1824 — Basil Roberts, Stanhope Royster, Alex, 
ander Dale. 

In 1824 a Board composed of the Justices of the 
Peace from the several townships was substituted for 
the Commissioners, one of the Justices being chosen 
by the Board as President. From September of this 
year until November, 1827, the county was so gov- 
erned, during which period the Presidents of the 
Board were as follows: 

1824-25— Moses Fay. 

1825-26— Justice Wright. 



70 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



1826 — (From September to November) Gabriel 
Ginn. 

1826-27-Marks Crume. 

The office of Commissioner having been restored, 
the liat continues as follows: 

1827 — Hezekiah Mount, William Dickey, David 
Ferree. 

1828 — Hezekiah Mount, William Dickey, and 
until September David Ferree, when succeeded by 
Charles Hubbartt. 

1829— Hezekiah Mount, William Dickey, Charles 
Hubbartt. 

1830 — William Dickey, Charles Hubbartt, and 
itntil August Hezekiah Mount, when succeeded by 
Charles Salyer. 

1831 — Charles Salyer, William Dickey, Charles 
Hubbartt. 

1832 — Charles Salyer, Charles Hubbartt, and un- 
til September William Dickey, when succeeded by 
Alexander Dale. 

1833-34; — Charles Salyer, Charles Hubbartt, Alex- 
ander Dale. 

1835 — Charles Salyer, Charles Hubbartt, and un- 
til September Alexander Dale, when succeeded by 
Hezekiah Mount. 

1838 — Charles Salyer, Charles Hubbartt, and 
until September Hezekiah Mount, when succeeded 
by Alexander Dale. 

1839 — Charles Hubbartt, Alexander Dale, and 
until September Charles Salyer, when succeeded by 
James Veatch. 

1840 — Alexander Dale, James Veatch, and until 
September Charles Hubbartt, when succeeded by 
Henry Simpson. 

1841 — James Veatch, Henry Simpson, and until 
August Alexander Dale, when succeeded by Thomas 
Mofifett. 

1842 — James Veatch, Henry Simpson, Thomas 
Mofifett. 

1843 — James Veatch, Thomas Mofifett, and until 
September Henry Simpson, when succeeded by Jacob 
Troxell. 

1844 — James Veatch, Thomas Mofifett, Jacob 
Troxell. 

1845 — Thomas Moffett, Jacob Troxell, and until 
September James Veatch, when succeeded by John 
Jemison. 

1846 — Thomas Mofifett, John Jemison, and until 
September Jacob Troxell, when succeeded by Daniel 
H. White. 

1847 — Thomas Moffett, John Jemison, Daniel H. 
White. 

1848— Thomas Mofifett, Daniel H. White and un- 
til September John Jemison, when succeeded by 
James Steele. 



1849— Thomas Mofifett, Daniel H. White, James 
Steele. 

1850 — Daniel H. White, James Steele, and until 
September Thomas Mofifett, when -succeeded by W. 
W. Thrasher. 

1851— Daniel H. White, W. W. Thrasher, and 
until August James Steele, when succeeded by A. T. 
Beckett. 

1852— W. W. Thrasher, A. T. Beckett, and until 
November Daniel H. White, when succeeded by Will- 
iam H. Huston (Thrasher was succeeded in December 
by Joseph Dale). 

1853-54— Joseph Dale, William H. Huston, A 
T. Beckett. 

1855 — Joseph Dale, A. T. Beckett, and until Sep- 
tember William H. Huston, when succeeded by John 
Stoops. 

1856 — John Stoops, A. T. Beckett, Joseph Dale. 

1857 — John Stoops, Joseph Dale, and until Sep- 
tember A. T. Beckett, when succeeded by George 
Scott. 

1858 — George Scott, Joseph Dale, and until Sep- 
tember John Stoops, when succeeded by Joseph M. 
Sutcliffe. 

1859— Joseph M. Sutclifife, George Scott, and un- 
til September Joseph Dale, when succeeded by W. T. 
Hensley. 

1860— W. T. Hensley, George Scott, Joseph M. 
Sutclifife. 

1861 — W. T. Hensley, George Scott, and until 
September Joseph M. Sutclifife, when succeeded by 
Raney Gillman. 

1862 — Rauey Gillman, George Scott, and until 
December, W. T. Hensley, when succeeded by Eph- 
raim Jefifrey. 

1863 — Ephraim Jeffrey, Raney Gillman, A. T. 
Beckett (latter appointed in June in the place of Mr. 
Scott, deceased). 

1864-66— Ephraim Jeffrey, A. T. Beckett, Robert 
Holland. 

1867 — Ephraim Jeffrey, A. T. Beckett, and until 
September Robert Holland, when succeeded by John 
Beck. 

1868— John Beck, A. T. Beckett, and until De- 
cember Ephraim Jeffrey, when succeeded by Ezra 
Martin. 

1869 — John Beck, Ezra Martin, and until Sep- 
tember A. T. Beckett, when succeeded by Hiram B. 
Langs ton. 

1870-71 — Hiram B. Langston, John Beck, Ezra 
Martin. 

1872 — Hiram B. Langston, Ezra Martin, and until 
June John Beck, when succeeded by William A. Hol- 
land. (Langston was succended in November by John 
Spivey.) 







? ^■•" 





HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



73 



1873— John Spivey, William A. Holland, Ezra 
Martin. 

1874 — John Spivey, William A. Holland, and 
until December, Ezra Martin, when succeeded by 
Linville Ferguson. 

1875 — William A. Holland, Linville Ferguson, 
and until September, John Spivey, vyhen succeeded 
by John Sims. 

1876-77— William A. Holland, John Sims, and 
until December, Linville Ferguson, when succeeded 
by Henry Saxon. 



1878 — Henry Saxon, William A. Holland, and 
until September John Sims, when succeeded by Sam- 
uel P. Jemison. 

1879-82— William A. Holland, Samuel P. Jemi- 
son, Henry Saxon. 

1883 — William A. Holland, Samuel P. Jemison, 
and until December, Henry Saxon, when succeeded 
by Henry C. Rees. 

1884 — -William A. Holland, Samuel P. Jemison, 
Samuel P. Rees. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 

ROADS— MAIL AND STAGE ROUTES— WHITEWATER VALLEY CANAL— HYDRAULIC COMPANY— TURNPIKES AND 
BRIDGES— RAILROADS. 



ONE of the gi-eat inconveniences attending the 
settlement of a new country is the utter destitu- 
tion of improvements. The pioneer as he journeys 
onward into the wilderness over hills, through track- 
less and tangled thickets, crossing bridgless streams 
and through swamps, at the very outset is impressed 
with the idea that a road would be most desi- 
rable. 

The first roads in Fayette County were mere trails 
or paths for horses made by the Indians while en route 
to and from their favorite hunting grounds and 
camps, or to the trading-posts established at points 
along the beautiful Whitewater, whence they went to 
barter their pelts and furs. 

One of these early paths was the " Indian Trace " 
leading from Connersville, or the trading-post of 
John Conner, to the northwest to an Indian village 
located in the center of the Thorutown Reservation, 
in what_is now Boone County, this State. 

One of the earliest provisions of the laws enacted 
for the government of the Northwest Territory was 
that which provided a "road fund." Various roads 
through the county were early proposed and some of 
them constructed, but these for years were little more 
than tracks through the woods cleared of timber, with 
no bridges, and in the rich and fresh condition of the 
soil became next to impassable in the wet seasons. 
As early as 1820 Commissioners were appointed to 
lay out " State roads." One materially affecting 
Fayette County was from Lawrencoburg through 
Brookville by way of Southgate and Tanner's Creek, 
Connersville, Waterloo and Centreville to Winchester. 
Over a half century ago it was familiarly called the 
Connersville State road, and from Brookville it was a 
continuation of Main Street, up the hill northward 



through Green Brier (Blooming Grove) and West 
Union (Everton) to Connersville. 

"In 1819 or 1820 another road was made from 
the Whitewater Valley, near Connersville, passing 
through Rush County, and crossing Big Flat Rock 
not far from where Smelser's mills were afterward 
built; then crossing Blue River above Morristown; 
thence to the site of Indianapolis. I am under the 
impression that this road was made by George Pogue 
and John McCormack, as it has always been under- 
stood that these two gentlemen were the first persons 
who, with their families, moved from the Whitewater 
Valley, and settled in the neighborhood of where 
Indianapolis now stands." — i[Elijah Hackleman.^ 

MAIL AND STAGE ROUTES. 

Connersville, Everton, Harrisburg, Waterloo and 
Plumb Orchard constituted the postoffices of the 
county in 1830. 

In the spring of 1833, long before the county had 
advanced to the era of gravel or macadamized high- 
ways, the notes of the bugle horn could be heard an- 
nouncing the arrival of the stage coach from Cincin- 
nati, which if not detained by a " stick in the mud " 
was on time. The mail lines of stages of which we 
write were at this period owned and managed by 
Abner McCarty, of Brookville, who informed the 
public by a notice in a paper of that village that "the 
stages will leave William Henries, near City Hall, in 
Cincinnati, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for 
Brookvilje; leave Brookville every Tuesday, Thursday 
and Saturday for Cincinnati; leave, Centreville every 
Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for Brookville; every 
Saturday for Richmond; leave Richmond every Sun- 
day for Brookville. 



74 



HIvSTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



"To and from these points was uia Harrison, Tren- 
ton, Brookville, Connersville and Milton to Centre- 
ville. From Brookville via Fairfield, Dunlaps- 
ville, Liberty, Brownsville and Abington to Rich- 
mond." 

The entrance of the route from Cincinnati into 
the village of Connersville, as given by a pioneer, 
was "over by Swifts' and Orr's, where it left the main 
road and passed by old Uncle Sol Claypool's, then 
across the strip of woods in the river bottom to the 
ford opposite where Root's foundry now stands." 

WHITEWATER VALLEY CANAL. 

One of the early demands of the people of a new 
country is for means of intercommunication. So 
soon as the western country began to be settled there 
began the cry for national aid in opening up all sorts 
of avenues for ingfress and egress to and from the 
frontier lands. New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio 
had given great attention to the subject of canals, 
and Indiana early in its history turned its attention 
to the same subject. 

The project of a canal through the Whitewater 
Valley was agitated as early as 1822 or 1823, by 
Alvin Joselyn, then connected with the Brookville 
press; subsequently there was held at Harrison, 
Ohio, a convention of delegates from Franklin 
Wayne, Union, Randolph, Fayette and Dearborn 
counties. A survey was soon made under the super- 
vision of Col. Shriver's Brigade of United States 
Engineers. Col. Shriver died before the survey was 
completed, and after his death the work was continued 
by Col. Stansbury, who began at the mouth of Gar- 
rison's Creek, but discontinned his labor on the 
approach of winter. 

Nothing further seems to have been done until in 
1834, when from the Connersville Watchman it 
appears that " a corps of engineers are surveying the 
route of the contemplated canal down the valley of 
the Whitewater." 

In January, 1836, was passed by the General 
Assembly of Indiana the celebrated act to provide 
for a general system of internal improvements under 
which were commenced the Wabash and Erie Canal, 
the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, Indiana Cen- 
tral Canal and the Whitewater Valley Canal. The 
last named work was to extend from Hagerstown to 
Lawrenceburg. (The State of Ohio, or a company 
chartered by the State, afterward constructed a 
branch from Harrison, Ohio, to Cincinnati.) 

The passage of this bill was celebrated at Con- 
nersville by an old-timo jollification on the evening 
of the 18th of January, which, however, ended in a 
very appalling accident by which one young man lost 
his life and three others were maimed. An account 



of the demonstrations and of the accident will be 
found in the sketch of Connersville. 

The survey and location of the Whitewater Valley 
Canal were completed and the contracts for building 
the various sections were let at Brookville, Septem- 
ber 13, 1836, which event was there the occasion of 
a celebration, and that day made a general gala day. 
The orator on the occasion was Hon. David Wallace. 
Gov. Noble, ex-Gov. James B. Ray, Dr. Drake, of 
Cincinnati, and George H. Dunn, Esq., of Lawrence- 
burg, were chosen as representative characters to per- 
form the ceremony of "breaking ground " for the new 
canal. 

Under the auspices of the State, the canal was 
completed from the Ohio River to Brookville, as well 
as aboat half the work from Brookville to Cambridge 
City. The cost of the work to Brookville was $664,- 
665. At this time (1839) the State found itself in 
debt some $14,000,000, and was compelled to abandon 
all public works. 

The first boat to reach Brookville was the " Ben 
Franklin." This was on Saturday, June 8, 1839. 
The citizens gave vent to their joy by the firing of 
cannon and other demonstrations. 

At the session of 1841-42, the Legislature char- 
tered the Whitewater Valley Company, with a capital 
stock of $400,000. Samuel W. Parker, of Conners- 
ville, afterward member of Congress from this dis 
trict, took an active part in getting up the company, 
and, in connection with J. G. Marshall and others, 
secm'ed the granting of the charter by the Legisla- 
ture, of which they were both active members. One 
of the principal contractors under the State and com- 
pany was Thomas Tyner. 

The citizens of Cambridge City celebrated the 
commencement of operations by the company, on the 
28th of July, 1842, b}' a barbecue, which was attend- 
ed by about 10,000 persons. The first wheel-bar- 
row load of earth was dug and wheeled out by Hon. 
Samuel W. Parker; the second, by Hon. Jehu T. 
Elliott, of New Castle, since a Judge of the Supreme 
Court. Every one preseot will remember the witty 
little speech of Parker on first "breaking ground" in 
the name of the company, and the able-and more for- 
mal address which he afterward commenced, but 
which a terrible thunder-storm prevented him from 
completing. Letters from Henry Clay and other dis- 
tinguished persons who had been invited, but failed 
to attend, were read on the occasion. 

In October, 1843, the canal was extended from 
Brookville fifteen miles to Laurel; to Connersville, 
twelve miles further, in Juno, 1845; and in October, 
the same year, it was completed to Cambridge City, 
the entire cost to the company being $473,000. 

The first boat that arrived at Connersville was in 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



75 



the fall of 1845. It was called the "Patriot," and 
was commanded by Capt. Gayle Ford. 

On the first day of January, 1847, a tremendous 
freshet damaged the canal so badly that it cost 
upward of $100,000 to repair it; by the flood was car- 
ried off the aqueduct across Symon's Greek, near 
Cambridge, and that across the West Fork of White- 
water, at Laurel, besides washing immense channels 
around the feeder dams at Cambridge, Connersville, 
Laurel, Brookville, the one four miles below, and 
that at Harrison, and also did much damage along 
the whole line. A second flood in November, 1848, 
only a few weeks after the repairs had been com- 
pleted, damaged it to the amount of $80,000. It 
was, however, again repaired and operated, to some 
extent, for several years, until superseded by rail- 
roads, one the Whitewater Valley Railroad, con- 
structed along the tow-path, and part of the way in 
the bed of the canal, which had been previously 
placed in the hands of a receiver, and the right-of- 
way transferred to the railroad company for that pur- 
pose. 

The canal constructed by the company extended 
north only to Cambridge City. (The length of the 
canal from Lawrenceburg to Cambridge City was 
seventy miles.) Subsequently, in or about the year 
1846, the Hagerstown Canal Company was organized 
and the canal completed to that place in 1847. But 
a small number of boats, however, ever reached that 
place, and the canal soon fell into disuse, except as 
a source of water-power, 

HYDRAULIC COMPANY. 

The Whitewater Valley Canal Company trans- 
ferred its hydraulic interest to the Connersville 
Hydraulic Company, which was organized in Decem- 
ber, 1865, with a capital stock of $10,000, under the 
following officers: President, P. H. Roots; Treas- 
urer, F. M. Roots; Secretary, Samuel Enyart; Board 
of Directors, P. H. and F. M. Roots, and Matthew 
Pfafflin. The Hydraulic Company secured a lease 
from the Canal Company in February, 1866, which 
was^ approved by the receiver and the United States 
Circuit Court of the Southern District of Indiana. 
The company control the Hydraulic from Cambridge 
City, including the feeder dam at that point, and the 
one at Loekport; also to Heron's lock, about one mile 
below Connersville. It is officered at this time (1884) 
by F. M. Roots, President; F. T. Roots, Superin- 
tendent and Treasurer; E. Woodward, Secretary; F. 
M., F. T. and D. T. Roots, Directors. It has been 
under the same manaorement from the beginnino'. 

TURNPIKES AND BRIDGES. 

Gravel roads and macadamized highways may be 
said not to have progressed in the county until the 



decade between 1850-60. A number of such roads 
were projected in and through the county soon after 
the passage of the bill relating to such highways, 
approved May 1, 1852. 

Ai'ticles of association under the name of the 
Milton & Rushville Turnpike Company were tiled 
in the spring of 1854, with the object in view of 
constructing a gravel road from " Milton in Wayne 
County, in the direction of Rushville, in Rush Coun- 
ty, to the eastern boundary line of said county, via 
Bentonville in Fayette County," but it is the under- 
standing that this road was not then constructed. 

Articles of association were next filed by the Con- 
nersville & Rushville Gravel Road Company, for 
the purpose of constructing a road " from a point 
on the Connersville and Rushville State road, a half 
mile west from the corporation limits of Connersville, 
thence west on and near the line of said State road, 
to where the same intersects the county line dividing 
Rush and Fayette Counties at Vienna; distance about 
eight miles." This road was constructed. 

At about this time several roads were projected 
and constructed, and in 1856, as shown by a map of 
the county, the following gravel or macadamized 
roads were in process of construction, or completed, 
the distance in the county being given: 

Connersville and Milton, five miles. 

Milton and Brownsville, five miles. 

Connersville and Brookville, nine miles. 

Bentonville and Dublin, four miles. 

Bentonville and Milton, two miles. 

Besides the above there are other turnpikes in 
the county, as set forth below: 

The county line (Fayetteville and Fairfield), seven 
miles. 

Connersville and Ahjuina, five miles. 

Connersville and Brownsville, six miles. 

Connersville and Waterloo Township, four and 
one-half miles. 

Connersville and Fairview, eleven miles. 

Connersville and Harrisburg, eight miles. 

Harrisburg and Bentonville, seven miles. 

Connersville and Rushville (to Vienna), nine 
miles. (This latter has beeu suffered to go down, 
and is not now kept up as a pike). 

There was once a turnpike known as the Fayette- 
ville and Laurel pike, five miles in length, but it, 
too, has gone down. 

These highways have been partly constructed by 
taxation, but largely by subscription. 

The toll gate, that relic of barbarism, can be seen 
along at least seven of these roads. 

The first bridge of auy particular size in this 
county was built over Whitewater River, on the road 
leading from Connersville to East Connersville. The 



76 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



contractors were Minor Meeker, H. B. Woodcock and 
James Veatch. It was built between the year 1838 
and 1842. The contract for a now wrought iron 
bridge over Waterloo ford was awarded to the Canton, 
Ohio, Wrought Iron Bridge Company, in June, 1881, 
for 110,637.37. This company had constructed, two 
yearri prior, the bridge at Nulltown. The new bridge 
at Waterloo was viewed and accepted by the Commis- 
sioners in March, 1884. Cost $4,555. The greater 
number of the larger bridges of the county have been 
built within the last decade. 

RAILROADS. 

The Cincinnati, Hamilton <& Indianapolis Rail- 
road was constructed by the Junction Railroad Com- 
pany, which was incorporated by the State of Indiana, 
February 15, 1848, tor the purpose of constructing a 
railroad from Rushville, Ind., by the way of Conners- 
ville and Osford, to coQuaat with the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton Railroad at Hamilton, Ohio. The 
Legislature of Ohio, on the 8th of March, 1849, 
granted to this company the right to extend its road 
from the State line to Hamilton, and gave to it all the 
rights, privileges and powers granted to railroad com- 
panies by the general law of Ohio, passed in Febru- 
ary, 1848. The company was organized in 1849, and 
surveys were made preparatory to the location of the 
road from Rushville to Hamilton; but a diiference of 
opinion arose as to the best route, which 'produced a 
temporary suspension of operations on the road 
Early in 1852 the company was re-organized, and 
new officers elected, who adopted measures to make 
the location of the road upon the route originally 
designated in the charter. The construction of the 
road was commenced in 1852, and was continued with 
moderate progress, at intervals, until 1864, when it 
was completed to Connersville. 

In 1853 the officers of the company were as fol- 
lows: President, John Woods; Directors, J. D. 
Jones, of Cincinnati; J. M. Ridenour, of College 
Corner; S. W.Parker, of Connersville; W. M. Smith, 
of Connersville; John Woods, of Hamilton; George 
Hibben, of Rushville; J. Blake, of Indianapolis; 
Treasurer, William Tindall, of Connersville; Secre- 
tary, J. Leach, of Connersville; Chief Engineer, A. 
H. Campbell, of Liberty. Mr. Campbell served as 
Chief Engineer of the road continuously up to 1871. 

In February, 1853, the Ohio & Indianapolis 
Railroad Company was incorporated for the purpose 
of constructing a railroad from Rushville to Indian- 
apolis. This company was organized by the friends 
and stock-holders of the Junction Railroad, for the 
purpose of obtaining a direct communication upon a 
continuous railroad of the same gauge between 
Indianapolis and Cincinnati. This company in 



April, 1858, was consolidated with and merged into 
the Junction Railroad Company. By this means the 
Junction Railroad was extended from Indianapolis to 
Hamilton, ninety-eight miles, where it connects with 
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. 

In 1806 an effort was made to complete the con- 
struction from Connersville to Rushville, and the 
following winter and spring the company became 
financially embarrassed, and the work was suspended. 

In April, 1867, a party of some twelve individuals 
of means purchased a controlling interest in the 
stock, and assumed the purchase of the unsold first 
mortgage bonds of the company, and commenced 
work to complete the road and equip with rolling 
stock the entire line to Indianapolis. This was 
effected so far that trains ran over the whole road 
from Cincinnati to Indianapolis, in June, 1868. 

The estimated average cost of the construction of 
the road per mile from Indianapolis to Hamilton 
ready for the rolling stock was made by the Chief 
Engineer at $21,516.75. 

The Whiteioater Valley Railroad from Cincinnati, 
constructed along the tow-path, and, part of the way, 
in the bed of the canal, passes through the county 
from south to north to Cambridge City, its northern 
terminus. The articles of association of the company 
constructing the road were filed with the Secretary of 
State June 8, 1865, and the road was completed to 
Connersville in the spring of 1867, and soon there- 
after to Cambridge City. Prom the latter city the 
road passed to Hagerstown on the Columbus, Chicago 
& Indiana Central. 

The Fort Waytie, Cincinnati <& Louisville Rail- 
road filed its articles of association with the Secre- 
tary of State December 6, 1881. The road was origi- 
nally a branch of the C. & I. Junction R. R., extending 
from Connersville through Cambridge City to New 
Castle, and was known as the Connersville & New Castle 
Junction R. R. The road was built directly after the 
completion of the C. & I. Junction R. R. It was 
subsequently extended and became known as the Fort 
Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad. 

The Jeff ersonville, Madison d- Indianapolis R. R. — 
The railroad crossing the northwestern corner of the 
county, running from Rushville to Cambridge City, 
known as the J. M. & I., of which it is a branch, was 
completed July 4, 1867. The road was originally a 
part of the Lake Erie & Louisville R. R., extending 
from Freemont, Ohio, to Rushville, Ind., and by con- 
nections to Louisville. 

The C. H. & L R. R. has 15.3 miles of main track 
in the county of Fayette; the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati 
& Louisville, 4.87 miles; the J. M. &I., 8.43 miles; 
and the Whiowater Valley 14.16 miles, making in 
all 42.76 miles. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



77 



CHAPTER IX. 



AGRICULTURE. 

IMPLEMENTS— CATTLE— HOUSES— HOGS— SHEEP— AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND FAIRS. 



" Oh, friendly to the best pursuits of man, 
Friendlj to thought, to virtue and to peace, 
Domestic life in rural leisure passed ! 
Pew know thy value, few taste thy sweets. 
Though many boast thy favors, and affect 
To understand and choose thee for their own." 

IN the early settlement of this section, ponds, 
marshes and swamps abounded where to day are 
found fertile and cultivated fields. The low and 
marshy ground was avoided for the higher grounds, 
not only on account of the wetness but for sanitary 
purposes. The cabin was built usually by or near a 
spring, and convenience alone was considered in the 
location of other buildings; the corn-crib was as apt to 
be in close proximity to the front door as in the rear 
of the dwelling. These were all built of logs, and 
often in their riide, round form. For years in places 
no fences enclosed the pioneer's possessions; however, 
the first substantial enclosures did not differ materi- 
ally from the old "worm" fence constructed of rails 
as those of to-day appear. The soil was new and pro- 
ductive. For years the crops were not extensive, for 
with the pioneer so remote from a place of market, it 
was a mere question of home supply. Yet his re- 
moteness from the point from which indispensable 
and necessary supplies were to be obtained, was a 
question of no little moment to him. Salt, iron and 
other commodities are indispensable even to a rude 
state of civilization, and great hardships were under- 
gone to secure them. As acres were cleared and the 
crops increased, the market question became one of 
consideration, and the difficulty of getting the crops 
of the soil to the nearest market, then Cincinnati, sit- 
uated sixty miles distant, was embarrassing. These 
commodities had to be wagoned over hill and through 
dale, the way often being almost impassable, as the 
only roads were mere paths, with the old logs and 
underbrush cleared out. Some few are yet living 
who will remember the "three notches" along these 
paths indicating a public highway. Days were con- 
sumed in making the journey, and little encourage- 
ment had the farmer to increase the products of his 
fields beyond the home and neighborhood demand. 
Speaking of the travel over one of these roads, one 
of the pioneers of Fayette writes: "Nothing was more 
common than lo find by the wayside at nearly every 



place where good water could be had, a camping 
ground where the weary wagoner had camped, as also 
had the emigrant with his family. They generally 
tied their horses to the wagon-tongue, on which was 
fastened a feed-trough, which, when traveling, they 
carried swung to the hind-gate of their wagon, for 
the purpose of feeding their horses. They would 
build a fire by which to cook their scanty meal, and, 
if night had overtaken them, the ground was their 
bed and the star-decked heaven their canopy, and 
fortunate would they consider themselves if they had 
a small bundle for a pillow." 

In 1810 bacon sold at 2J cents per pound; corn 
20 to 25 cents per bitshel; but there was a season of 
great scarcity when it sold for $1.25 per bushel. But- 
ter for a long time sold for 3, 4 and 6 cents per 
pound. While produce was so low the farmer had 
to pay 50 cents per yard for muslin that can now be 
bought for 8 or 10 cents. Common calicoes cost 37^ 
cents per yard. In 1820 oats sold at 8 cents per 
bushel. The late Dr. Mason, who settled in the 
county, in his autobiography, in referring to this sub- 
ject says, "Corn was often sold for 6 cents a bushel 
and wheat for 25 cents; and il was difficult to get 
money at that, and then only in small amounts. Salt 
was often as high as $2.50 and $3.00 a bushel. When 
the farmer could sell his pork on foot at the rate of 
$1.50 per hundred, net weight, he felt rich and began 
to thrive." But the pioneer farmers supplied their 
homes liberally with the comforts of the period and 
contentment and happiness generally characterized 
their homes. 

In the preparation of their fields for crops the 
mattock or hoe was called into service ; this mat- 
tock, as some styled it, vras a tool nearly two feet 
long, one end of which was a blade probably about 
three inches wide, strong with a sharp steel edge, 
the other end being brought to a sharp edge designed 
to be used as an axe. If the field was too full of 
stumps it was planted in corn. Sometimes a field 
would be grown producing what was termed " sick 
wheat." Such has been described as differing little 
or none from the wheat now grown, except in the ap- 
pearance of a red spot on the grain or an indication 
of sprouting. The cause for wheat thus styled has 



78 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



by some been attributed in this locality to the excess 
of vegetable matter producing an excess of straw and 
not unfrequently a kind of rot or blight in many of 
the wheat grains, which rendered it unfit for use and 
was so denominated from the effect on the stomach of 
one eating it. 

IMPLEMENTS. 

Agriculture is a term hardly applicable to the 
farming of early times. The implements were then 
necessarily few and of rude and simple construction, 
and could be manufactured by indifferent blacksmiths. 
The plows used were the bar-share and the shovel. 
The iron part of the former consisted of a bar of 
iron about two feet long, and a broad share of iron 
welded to it. At the extreme point was a coulter 
that passed through a beam six or seven feet long, to 
which were attached handles of corresponding 
length. The mould board was a wooden one split 
out of winding timber, or hewed into a winding 
shape in order to turn the soil over. The whole 
length of the plow from the fore end of the beam to 
the ends of the handles was eight or ten feet. Newly 
cleared ground was with this plow broken up with 
great difficulty. On this subject a pioneer says : 
" The old bar-share plow, with a coulter and wooden 
mould-board, was the best plow then in use, though 
by far the greatest number used only the shovel plow, 
which answered an excellent purpose in the loose rich 
alluvium soil in its virgin purity free from weeds and 
grass. The shovel was all the iron connected with 
the plow, and not unlike those in use at the present 
day. The gearing or harness used by a majority of 
our pioneers was so novel in its construction that I 
must describe it. The bridle for the horse was an 
iron bit. the balance being of small rope. The col- 
lar was made of shucks (the husks of the corn). The 
hames were shaped out of a crooked oak or a hickory 
root, fastened at the top with a cord and at the bottom 
in the same way. The traces were of rope, the back- 
band being of _tow cloth. The whiffle-tree or single- 
tree was of wood, with a notch on each end ; the trace 
hitched by a loop over the whifHe-tree, and to the 
hame through a hole. The whiffle-tree was attached 
to the double-tree by a hickory withe, and sometimes 
by a wooden clevis made of two pieces of some tough 
wood, with wooden pin; 'the double-tree fastened to 
the end of the plow beam by the same wooden form 
of clevis and sometimes an iron one. To the rope 
bridle was attached a cord, called a single line, by 
which the horse was driven. By far the largest num- 
ber of plow-teams was only with a single horse, 
geared as before described, and hitched to the shovel 
plow, the ground broken up, crossed off and tended by 
the same plow and horse." 



The land in the early history of this region was 
much better adapted to corn than small grain, espec- 
ially wheat, owing to the excess of vegetable matter 
in the soil. Sown seed was "bushed in" by a sapling 
with a bushy top, or by a bundle of brush from a tree 
top, dragged butts forward. In the course of time 
the roots sprouts, and other obstacles gave way in a 
measure, and the ground admitted of the harrow, 
which implement was triangular in form, resembling 
the letter A; the teeth were probalily as heavy again 
in weight as those now used, in order to stand the 
collision with the roots and stumps over and among 
which they were to be drawn. The cast- iron plow 
was slowly introduced, the harrow was improved, the 
cultivator invented, drills for sowing and planting 
came into use, and other labor-saving implements, and 
the aspect of farming wonderfully changed. 

The sickle for cutting the grain was first used, but 
as soon as the decay and removal of the stumps per- 
mitted of a larger instrument and a more rapid method, 
it was succeeded by the cradle, which in southwestern 
Ohio gradually became into use at a period beginning 
about 1825. The cradle in many parts of the country 
has given way, while in some sections it is still in 
use. Reaping with the sickle, one of the most ancient 
of farming implements, was always slow and labori- 
ous, Among those still with us are men who used 
the sickle and know how to swing the cradle and 
scythe. Reapers gradually superseded the cradle, 
and mowers the scythe. The first reaping machines 
merely cut the grain; a rake was necessary to gather 
the grain into sheaves, ready for the binders. Self- 
raking machines soon followed, and about 1878 self- 
binding machines were introduced. Grain was 
threshed with a flail, which, in its rudest form, was 
made of a hickory sapling about two inches thick, and 
seven or eight feet long. About two feet and a half 
from one end it was roasted in the fire, and at this 
place it was bruised or beaten, so as to cause it to 
bend. With this, grain was beaten out on the ground, 
if there was no barn floor. Flails were often made in 
various other ways. Another of the old-fashioned 
method of threshing the grain, and the most common, 
was by tramping it out with horses. There were no 
fanning-mills to separate the grain from the chaff; 
to raise the wind a linen sheet was taken from the 
bed, and held at the corners by two men; and by a 
semi rotary motion, or swinging of one side of the 
sheet, the chaff was driven from the falling grain, the 
pure wheat lying in a pile ready to be garnered. The 
sheet process was at length succeeded by the fanning- 
mill. This slow and wasteful method of separating 
the grain has passed into history, and the steam oi- 
horse-power threshing machine has taken its place, by 
which the grain is not only separated from the chaff, 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



79 



but the latter carried off and the straw borne to the 
stack at the same time. 

A single machine now receives the sheaves, and 
delivers the cleaned grain at the rate of hundreds of 
bushels a day. 

How wonderfully striking is the change! Imagine 
the pioneer with sickle ib hand entering one of 
Minnesota's wheat-fields, of from 200 to 800, or 
1,000 acres, and the invention of the self-binding 
reaper will be appreciated. 

A lad of ten years can mow from fifty to one 
hundred acres of meadow in an ordinary haying sea- 
son, and the hay is all raked dui'ing the same time 
by a single hand. 

CATTLE. 

Many of the early cattle of Fayette County were 
brought with the immigrants; especially did those 
coming from the adjacent States, Ohio and Kentucky, 
bring with them a cow or two. Cattle were also 
brought from various quarters, but all were then of 
the more common class, but in every way sufficed the 
wants and answered the purposes of the pioneer 
times. The early farmers suffered their cattle to run 
at large, and wanderingly they went through the 
woods, over uncultivated grounds, browsing for their 
living, and by this means some of the native grasses 
were extirpated by being- tramped down and cropped 
off early in the season before giving the seeds time 
to form. Whether with always an object in view or 
not, there seems not to have been a step taken by the 
pioneer that was not without a purpose or followed by 
some good result. Few buildings sheltered their 
herds from the cold and piercing winds, the deep 
snows and chilling rains of the winters. They hov- 
ered around the stacks of wheat straw, which served 
the double purpose of shelter and subsistence. How- 
ever, after corn husking in the fall they were given 
these fields and here found their food, and at inter- 
vals unhusked corn was thrown to them, the ground 
constituting their feed troughs. 

Kentucky and Ohio early manifested an interest 
in the improvement of the stock of cattle, and from 
these quarters came into Fayette County a better 
breed of this animal. Early in the history of south- 
western t)hio the Shakers at Union Village, in War- 
ren County, were in possession of the early descend- 
ants of the Kentucky importation of English cattle, 
made in 1817, and to that locality importations of 
thoroughbred Short-horn cattle direct from Scotland 
were made in 1854. 

Cattle from Union Village were brought to Fayette 
County, but at what period we have no definite 
knowledge. Jfewton Claypool, Gen. William Cald- 
well and William Daily, not far from the year 1838, 
went to Kentucky, and among them purchased three 



heifers and one bull, descendants of the importation 
of Short-horn cattle of 1837, which were brought to 
Fayette County. The bull was owned by the three, 
and there being but one Democrat in the number he 
insisted on naming the animal, which was consented 
to, and the same was christened "Van Buren." 

Not a great while subsequent to this period the 
man of whom these cattle were purchased brought a 
drove of the same breed of Short-horn cattle to this 
locality. 

Several years subsequent to the time that Messrs 
Claypool, Caldwell and Dailey brought the cattle re- 
ferred to above to this locality, the Hon. W. W. 
Thrasher purchased a Short-horn bull and two cows 
of one Cunningham, who resided near Lexington, 
Ky., which he brought to the county. 

The Devins breed were to some extent raised in 
the county, but were not very popular as they seemed 
not to have answered the purpose — were wanting in 
size for beef cattle, and they never became numerous. 

Isaac B. Loder, James McCollem and Train 
Caldwell brought from near Lexington, Ky., several 
thoroughbred Short- horn cattle; and among the num- 
ber was the bull styled "Bellmont." This was in 
the year 1853. 

From time to time excellent Short-horn cattle 
have continued to be brought into the county, until 
they are now found in almost every locality. Of 
recent years the Jersey cattle has made its appear- 
ance, and is a favorite with some on account of the 
richness of the milk of the cow, and its properties 
for butter-making. 

From reports made, through the President, by the 
Secretary of the Agricultural Society at intervals 
during the past thirty years, we gather some facts 
concerning stock, which we give below: 

Report of 1852. — "The cattle are chiefly driven 
from hence to a foreign market, and the number sent 
from this county during the past year is estimated at 
6,000." 

Report of 1853. — "The stock cannot be beat by 
any other county. Caldwell and MeCullum's bull, of 
this county, took the first premium at our fair, and 
was equal to any at the State fair. We are made, 
however, to deplore the number of scrubs among us. 
This cannot be remedied so long as we have scrub 
farmers among us. They can only be removed by 
emigration or death." 

In 1856, the number of cattle in the county was 
valued at $5,627. 

HORSES. 

In horses, Fayette has claimed a high grade for 
some years. Oxen, in many localities in the early 
period of the county's history, were used to a better 



80 



HISTOKY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



advantage than the horse. Over such roads as have 
been described, and in working the ground among 
the tangled roots and stumps, the ox was well 
adapted, and to many played well his part in prepar- 
ing the way for a succeeding step in the progress of 
things. In 1830 there were in the county 282 work- 
ing oxen. Judging from the Secretary's report to the 
State Board of Agriculture in 1880, the improvement 
in the horse has, perhaps, hardly kept pace with the 
advancement in other directions. "The exhibition of 
horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry showed im- 
provement, but not so marked in the horse depart- 
ment, being evident that the introduction of a little 
more good blood would be advantageous. " However, 
throughout the county is a good stock of horses of all 
classes, which is steadily advancing in improvement. 
Many horses daily appear on the streets of Conners- 
ville that reflect great credit on parties engaged in 
breeding, raising and handling the animal. 

Among some of the early breeds of horses in the 
county were the "Kentucky Whip." A blood bay horse 
(with black legs, mane and tail) by this name was 
advertised in Connersville in 1829. In 1832 Merril 
Williams advertised "Hilander," an iron gray horse, 
sixteen hands high. Along about this period was 
introduced into the county a horse styled "Comet.' 
"Top Gallant" was another of the early horses at 
Connersville. He was in charge of John and Lot 
Abraham, and was described as a dark chestnut sorrel, 
sixteen hands high, lofty carriage and a good mover. 
He was brought from the State of Georgia to Butler 
County, Ohio, by a Mr. Titsworth; was sired by the 
imported horse "Matchless Bob"— his dam by the 
imported horse "Mast,'' and his grand dam by the 
imported horse "Diamond." About 1835 Josiah 
Piper brought a dun horse from Kentucky, which 
made noticeable and valuable improvement in the 
horses of this section. 

The "Morgan," the "Bellfounder," the "Bashaw," 
the "Whip," the"HambletoniaD," the "Second Cad- 
mus," the "Hilander" stock, have been introduced at 
different periods. The improvements in the horse are 
largely due to the infusion of the blood of the thorough- 
bred. The strains of blood have not been kept dis- 
tinct, but the tendency has been to amalgamate it with 
the stock already in use. 

The Norman and the Clydesdale stock have been 
within recent years brought into the county. 

In 1852 the following report on this animal was 
sent from the county to the Secretary of the State 
Board of Agriculture: 

"There has been a great increase, both in the 
quality and number of this most useful animal, 
during the past year in this county. The number is 
estimated at about 6,000 head The prices have 



been extraordinarily high, ranging from $100 to 
$200, for good, serviceable geldings, and mares in 
proportion. " 

The report of the following year read: "Our 
farmers are paying attention to the improvement of 
horses and mules. We have as fine horses, mares and 
jacks in this as in any other county in the State." 

HOGS. 

A writer on the subject of the swine of the early 
settlers gives this glowing description of them: 
"They were long and slim, long-snouted and long- 
legged, with an arched back, and bristles erect from 
the back of the head to the tail, slab-sided, active 
and healthy. The 'sapling-splitter' and 'razor- 
back,' as he was called, was ever in the search for 
food, and quick to take alarm. He was capable of 
making a heavy hog, but required two years or more 
to mature, and, until a short time before butchering 
or marketing, was suifered to run at large, subsisting 
mainly as a forager, and in the fall fattening on the 
' mast.' " 

What a contrasf between the hogs of that period 
and those of 1884! Probably no change wrought in 
the stock of the farmer is so marked as in this ani- 
mal. Those of to-day mature early and are almost 
the reverse of the "razor-back," having a small head, 
small ear, short neck, with a long body and hams, 
and in general shape are almost square, and are capa- 
ble of taking on 250 pounds of flesh in eight or ten 
months. 

The people of Fayette County having in past 
years paid considerable attention to the raising of 
swine, a commodity which has added greatly to the 
wealth of the farmers, cannot fail to be interested in 
the history of the hogs that have been chiefly among 
them, hence we give them the benefit of the result 
of a thorough research on the subject made by Josiah 
Morrow, Esq., of Lebanon, Ohio, a^ published in the 
" History of Warren County, Ohio," of which he is the 
author : 

"In 1816 John Wallace, then a Trustee of the 
Shaker Society, visited Philadelphia on business and 
was shown what was called the Big China hogs. He 
was pleased with them and purchased four hogs, and 
brought them the same season to Union Village. 
These four hogs were entirely white except one, upon 
which were some sandy spots, in which appeared 
small black spots. They were represented to be 
either imported or the immediate descendants of 
imported stock, and are believed to have been the 
first China hogs in southwestern Ohio. Subsequently 
other China hogs were introduced. TJjey were exten- 
sively raised and crossed with the best breeds then 
existing, and the product of these crosses constituted 




^r^fwfO^ 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



83 



a breed of fine qualities, which was generally known 
as the ' Warren County hog,' sometimes as the 
' Shaker ho^.' These hogs increased in good quali- 
ties and were extensively bred in great numbers in 
the great corn producing regions of Warren and 
Butler Counties. 

" The Berkshires were introduced into Warren 
County 'in 1835 and 1836, by Mr. Munsou Beach, who 
operated in connection with his brother, Louis Beach, 
then a prominent merchant in the city of New York. 
Subsequently they made other shipments of the same 
stock to Warren and Butler Counties. The Berk- 
shires introduced by the Messrs. Beach were gener- 
ally black, with occasional marks of white, either on 
the feet, the tip of the tail or in the face. They 
were muscular, active and round bodied hogs, and, 
in most cases, had sharp pointed, upright ears. Some 
families, however, were large in size, deep in their 
bodies, with ears that lopped. 

" The Irish Grazier breed of hogs was imported 
direct into southwestern Ohio, by William Neif, Esq., 
of Cincinnati, about 1839. The Graziers were white 
with only an occasional sandy spot which appeared 
about the eyes. 

" These two breeds — the Berkshires and Irish 
Graziers — were extensively used in making crosses by 
tho best breeders in Warren and Butler Counties, 
and to some extent in Clinton and Hamilton Coun- 
ties. Having been carefully bred and intermixed 
with the descendants and crosses of the Big China 
with other breeds, the stock thus produced consti- 
tuted the true and original basis of what is now known 
as the Magie or Poland-China hogs. 

' " Many of the most successful breeders of these 
hogs resided in the vicinity of Monroe, near the War- 
ren and Butler County line. Since 18-40 no new 
blood has been introduced. In 1870 the Illinois 
Swine Breeders' Association resolved to call these 
hogs the ' Magie breed ' (pronounced Magee), from 
the name of one of the most successful breeders of 
the stock in Butler County, but Poland-China is now 
the established name. The first part of this name, 
however, is a misnomer, as the best authorities agree 
that there never was a breed of hogs known as the 
Poland in the Miami Valley, and no Poland cross 
entered into the formation of tho breed. The first 
part of the name is believed to have originated from 
the fact that a Polandor, residing in Hamilton County, 
having purchased some of the Shaker or Warren 
County hogs, many years ago, disposed of them to 
purchasers who named them Poland or Polander 
hogs. The National Convention of Swine Breeders 
of 1872 retained this misnomer for the reason that 
the great mass of breeders so called the breed, and 
to change a name generally used is difficult." 



It is thought that Jeremiah May brought the first 
of this breed to the county about the year 1832, from 
Warren County, Ohio. At any rate, this breed of 
hogs found its way into Fayette County, many years 
ago, and with little exception has been the hog of 
this section ever since. In 1851, in answer to some 
interrogatories from the State Board of Agriculture, 
the Hon. Matthew R. Hull, then a resident of the 
county, since deceased, replied as relates to the hog 
as follows: 

" The Poland, crossed upon the Byfield and Rus- 
sian, exceed all others for beauty, size and profit. 
They are a good grass hog, and are sufficiently lively 
and sufficiently industrious to make a good living off 
of good pasture. They mature early, have a small 
head, small ear, short neck, thick shoulder, long body 
and long ham, and are capable of bearing more fat 
than any other kind we have had amongst us. They 
are familiarly known here as the ' Warren County 
hog.' McGee (should be Magie), of Butler County, 
drives no other kind of hogs. His droves have aver- 
aged him more than 410 pounds for several years in 
Cincinnati. This kind may be had in our neighbor- 
hood. " 

For many years Connersville was quite an exten- 
sive pork market, where thousands of hogs were an- 
nually slaughtered and packed. The report sent to 
the State Board of Agriculture in 1852 was as fol- 
lows: " 22,000 hogs have been slaughtered at and 
packed at Connersville during the past season, which 
will average 220 pounds per bead, for which the 
average price paid was $5.50 percwt. Some of these 
were from neighboring counties, but it is estimated 
that equally as many as, if not more than, were 
brought to the market from other counties, were 
driven from this county to a foreign market." 

The report of 1853 exhibits: " The hogs in this 
county, and especially in Jennings Township, are 
superior, or at least equal, to any in the United 
States. James D. Ross & Bros, have hogs that are 
hard to duplicate. The pork butchered at Conners- 
ville this year will exceed last by at least several 
thousand head. It may reach 25,000." The report 
of 1859-60 showed that some 20,000 hogs were 
packed at Connersville. 

SHEEP. 

Some time in the decade between 1830 and 1840 
W. W. Thrasher, residing on the western border of 
the county, brought some fine sheep to that section 
from near Lexington, Ky., of the breed known as 
" Cotswold," which were among the first, if not the 
first, fine wool sheep introduced into the county. Mr. 
Thrasher still breeds this variety, and has in the in- 
terim raised and sold perhaps thousands. The report 



84 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



made to the State Board of Agriculture ou this ani- 
mal in 1852 showed that the total number in the 
county then was estimated at 15,000 head. Much 
interest was then manifested in the growing of wool, 
and an encouragiDg number of most valuable breeds 
had been imported and propagated. The price of 
the common breeds was from $1 to $1 50 per head. 
The report of 1853: " Many of our farmers are im- 
proving their stock of sheep and are growing more 
wool than in former years. Mr. Miner Meeker, Will- 
iam Thomas, John Caldwell, and the undersigned, 
President (M. R. Hull), have each tine flocks of fine- 
wooled sheep. ' ' 

In 1878 it was shown by the Secretary's report of 
the Fayette County Agricultural Society that the 
wool-growing interest of the county was " on the 
wane." For 1870 there were reported 8,105 head of 
sheep in the county, and for the year 1877 only 
3,989 head. 

AGRIOnLTUEAL SOCIETIES AND FAIRS. 

In the summer of 1834 an attempt was made to 
form an agricultural society in F''ayette County. 
Horace VanVleet, then editor of the Watchman, pub- 
lished at Connersville, wrote several articles on agri- 
culture and the importance of an agricultural society, 
and, on solicitation, published a call for a meeting, 
which was responded to, and resulted in the appoint- 
ment of Gen. Caldwell for President and Mr. Van 
Vleet, Secretary. About $40 was subscribed and 
paid in for the organization to Mr. Van Vleet. Soon 
after (in October. 1834,) Mr. VanVleet died. No 
claim was made tor the agricultural fund, and so 
failed the first attempt to organize an agricultural 
society. 

In the year 1841 a call was published for an agri- 
cultural meeting, to be held on the 4th of July, 
which was responded to in the then old court house. 
Dr. Philip Mason was appointed President, and 
Charles Shipley, Secretary. An address was read by 
Dr. Mason. There was a lack of animation in the 
meeting, which showed that the community were not 
quite prepared for a permanent organization. Hon. 
S. W. Parker was present and made a few remarks. 
He then turned the meeting to account by getting 
subscribers to the Indiana Farmer, then published 
at Indianapolis, and edited by the now celebrated 
Henry Ward Beecher, and succeeded in less than an 
hour in getting fifty- four subscribers. So ended the 
second attempt. 

During the year 1851 seven agricultural meetings 
were held to establish an agricultural society. The 
attempt was discouraging, but several who were faith- 
ful to the cause persevered, and success crowned their 
efforts. On the 18th of October, 1851, they suc- 



ceeded in organizing permanently and adopted a con- 
stitution. 

John Spivey was elected President, and D. W. 
Welty, Secretary. According to the official report, 
as required and sent up to the State Board of Agri- 
culture, $48 were received by the society. On account 
of the late period, no exhibition or fair was held, 
and the money was loaned out. In 1852 the first fair 
was held. The receipts were $1,052.06, the expenses 
$647.54, leaving a fair balance in the treasury, which 
was very flattering for the beginning. The fair con- 
tinued to prosper, the receipts reaching as high as 
$3,233, and expenses in proportion, until December, 
1861, when the society declared its intention to 
dissolve and transfer its interest to a joint stock asso- 
ciation. A committee was appointed and the affairs 
of the organization were closed up. 

Other of the early Presidents of the society were 
Matthew R. Hull and William Watton. 

Up to the fall of 1865 the fairs were held on 
leased premises, but in the fall of that year twenty- 
six acres of ground were purchased of A. J. Clay- 
pool, situated about one mile north of the court house 
'n Connersville, upon which were subsequently erected 
suitable buildings. In 1870 these grounds were val- 
ued at $20,000. 

The society organized with a membership of 146; 
in 1852 it had increased to 410, and in 1856 to 1,213. 

At the first fair held A. O. Saxon was awarded the 
first premium for the best cultivated farm, and Ben- 
jamin Thomas the second premium for the second 
best. 

One of the prominent features of the fair held in 
1858 was that the late Hon. Horace Greeley, of New 
York City, vras present, and delivered an address. 
Premiums had been offered for this fair for the " best 
cultivated and improved farm," for which there were 
two entries, Hon. S. W. Parker and Alexander 
Heron, Esq. (the present Hon. Secretary, State Board 
of Agriculture). The committee being unable to 
determine whether there was a preponderance for 
either, recommended a premium to each, to the former 
for the best improved farm, and to the latter for the 
best cultivated farm. A premium was also offered 
for the best essay on agriculture, which was awarded 
to Mr. Samuel Little. 

During the eleven years of its existence about 
$23,000 was handled by the society. 

The joint stock association referred to above was 
known as the Fayette County Joint Stock Agricult- 
ural and Mechanical Society, and was organized 
December 21, 1861. 

The earliest report we had access to of this soci- 
ety was the one made in 1867, at which time A. B. 
Claypool, Esq., was the President. The entries for 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



85 



this year were as follows: Live stock, 220; mechani- 
cal, 90; agricultural, 277; miscellaneous, 190. 
Amount of premiums — live stock, $1,242; mechani- 
cal, 1404; miscellaneous, $118. The total receipts 
of the fair, $4,480.40. 

This society, according to a report of the Secretary, 
met with a series of reverses discouraging to the man- 
agers, and no fair was held in 1876 — the only year 
without a fair since the organization of the society 
which held the first fair in 1852. The accumulation 
of debt against the society caused the property of the 
association to change hands, which was secured by a 
new organization under the title of the Eastern Indi- 
ana Agricultural, Mechanical and Trotting Park Asso- 
ciation. This organization was effected August 5, 
1877, with a capital stock of $6,000. 

Following is the Secretary's report for 1877: 



"During the last decade the live stock interest 
has predominated, but latterly it is giving way to the 
raising of grain; about 6,000 head of hogs were lost 
in the past season by cholera. Cattle raising is prof- 
itable, and more attention is given to the breeding of 
improved stock; 3,676 head reported this over 3,322 
last year. More attention is given to the breeding of 
good horses, especially heavy di-aft horses, for which 
this county is becoming famous. Statistics show an 
increase in number, 1,420 head against 1,328 the year 
before. Mules are used more than formerly, and are 
much improved in size and appearance." 

Fairs have been held annually ever since, and 
conducted successfully. At a meeting of the associ- 
ation held February 12, 1884, the stock-holders sur- 
rendered their charter and resolved to offer their 
grounds for sale. 



CHAPTER X. 



POLITICAL. 

RESULTS OF ELECTIONS, POLITICAL EXTRACTS AND NOTES— MEMBERS OF CONGRESS— MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL 

ASSEMBLY. 



IN 1819, at the time of the organization of Fayette 
County, the public affairs of the State were in the 
hands of the Hendricks, Jennings, and Noble divi- 
sions of one political party. 

RESULTS OF ELECTIONS — POLITICAL EXTRACTS AND NOTES. 

In the month of August of that year, the first 
election in the new county of Fayette for State offi- 
cers was held. The candidates for Governor were 
Jonathan Jennings and Christopher Harrison, and 
the vote in the five townships into which the county 
had been divided, for these men were as follows: 

.lENNINGS. HARRISON' 

Connersville 364 7 

Brownsville 86 

Harrison 109 8 

Jennings 21 1 

Columbia 51 4 

Totals 631 20 

For State Senator, William C. Drew received 367 
votes in the county, and for the same office James 
Gondie, 73 votes. 

The candidates for the office of Representative 
in the State Legislature were Robert Hill, Enoch D. 
John, Jacob Graves, Robert Swann, John Sutherland, 
Conrad Sailor, Zachariah Ferguson, Allen Crisler, 
Joseph Holeman, Andrew Wallace, Simon Yandes, 
John Brison, Jonathan Kid well and JIatthew Sparks; 
and they received 49, 324„116, 61, 106, 190, 156, 



408, 50, 56, 75, 140, 17 and 14 votes respectively. 

There were ten candidates for the office of Sher- 
iff and six for that of Coroner. 

In 1820 there was no opposition to James Monroe, 
and he was re-elected President of the United States, 
with the electoral vote of every State in the Union. 
Affairs in the State were going on quietly under the 
control of the several divisions above referred to, and 
the people of Fayette were hardly aware that a Pres- 
idential election had taken place, and yet as good and 
quiet an administration followed as any that is likely 
to be produced by our exciting elections at this day. 

At the election for Governor in August, 1822, the 
votes of Fayette stood: William Hendricks, 687; 
Erasmus Powell, 314. Two years later the vote of 
the county stood: for President, Jackson, 456; Clay, 
393; Adams, 122. The vote of Connersville Town- 
ship standing: 354 for Jackson, 277 for Clay and 92 
for Adams. Posey Township lacked 2 votes only of 
being solid for Jackson^the 2 were given for Clay; 
Columbia Township gave, in proportion to its popu- 
lation, the largest Clay vote — 44. 

The candidates in 1828 for President were 
Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams. The peo- 
ple of Indiana gave the electoral vote of the State to 
the former, believing, it seems, that he was a friend 
to the Protecting Sy.stem, and a friend to Internal 
Improvements, but in which they were disappointed, 



86 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



and in 1831 retalliated by eleeking Gen. James 
Noble to the Gubernatorial chair by a majority of 
2,320. 

The Jackson vote in Fayette in 1828 was 050, 
against 516 for Adams. 

The great national question which at this time 
was disturbing the Itepublic, was not without its 
influence upon all elections throughout the country, 
from the most humble to the most exalted stations. 
The names of the two national political parties at 
this period were the National Eepublican and the 
Democratic. In the Congressional election in the 
district of which Fayette then constituted a part, the 
people of both parties, in a measure, threw off the 
servile trammels of bigoted partyism, and voted like 
rational men. The Presidential question probably 
never ran higher. Gen. Jonathan McCarty, of Con- 
nersville, and Judge John Tost, of Brookville, were 
in the field alone, Oliver H. Smith, who was then a 
member of Congress from this district, having pre- 
viously withdrawn from the contest, giving in print 
the following as the cause: 

" It was not known to me at the time I declared 
myself a candidate that there would be more than one 
candidate besides myself, but on my return I found 
that two other candidates were before the people, and 
from all that I could learn, theresult would be, should 
we all continue, that a majority of the number would 
be defeated by a minority, in the election of either 
of the candidates, and having no desire myself to be 
continued the representative of this district, against 
the will of a majority of the electors, which from the 
excitement that has been created, and the false state- 
ments which have beeu circulated in my absence, I 
am satisfied would be the case in the event of my elec- 
tion, I have resolved not to be a candidate." 

Judge Test and Mr. Smith were of the National 
Eepublican Party, and Gen. McCarty of the Demo- 
cratic. The parties were nearly equal in number; 
the conflict resulted in the election of Judge Test by 
a triumphant majority. 

During the period of which we have been writing 
candidates were generally placed before the people 
without the intervention of party caucus, a political 
convention or a primary election. After the estab- 
lishment of a newspaper in Fayette County, candi- 
dates for political favor usually announced themselves, 
or were announced by others through its columns. In 
1820, when Oliver H. Smith became a candidate for 
Congress, he remarks: "Stump speaking was just 
coming in fashion; the people met our appointments 
by thousands." 

In 1830 the names of several candidates for the 
State Legislature had been announced in the press of 
the county, and in the Political Clarion of July 10 of 



the same year appeared the following, signed by 
"many voters: " 

" It is very important to the people to know the 
sentiments of those who aspire to the honor of rep- 
resenting them on the great and leading measures of 
the State and Federal Governments. It imposes too 
great a burden on candidates to require them to give 
these opinions personally to all, but through a public 
newspaper will be found a medium of communication 
convenient for them, and more beneficial to the peo- 
ple. In this manner the candidates will neither be 
so liable to be misunderstood, nor their sentiments so 
Subject to the misrepresentation of the designing. It 
is believed, from the character of the candidates before 
the people of this county for Representatives, that 
none of them will refuse for one moment to answer 
through the press such questions as may tend to give 
the people necessai'y information in relation to their 
opinions concerning the groat, public measures in 
which the people are so deeply interested. Should 
any fail or refuse to answer explicitly, the people 
may be able to judge of that man. 

" Candidates, will you answer the people the fol- 
lowing questions? 

" 1. Do you justify the President of the United 
States in putting his veto on the several bills passed 
during the last session of Congress, in favor of inter- 
nal improvements? 

"2. Do you believe, with the present Administra- 
tion, that Congress has no power to appropriate 
money to be expended within the States, on works of 
internal improvements, but that all money expended 
must be confined to the Territories? 

" 3. Do you believe that Congress has the power to 
make an appropriation to assist in making a turn- 
pike road from Lawrenceburg to Fort Wayne, and if 
Congress should pass such an act would j'ou justify 
the President in putting his veto on it, and thus 
defeat the appropriation? 

" 4. Do you approve of the doctrines of rewarding 
those who vote for the President with all the offices 
and punishing those who voted against him, by turn- 
ing them out of office ? 

" 5. Do you believe that the Senate of the United 
States have a right to know the reasons why removals 
and appointments submitted for their ' advice and 
consent' were made; or do you believe that the 
Senate has no control over the nominations of the 
President, except to register his decrees? 

" 6. Do you believe the policy adopted by this 
administration in relation to the Indians, correct? 

" 7. Would you vote for a resolution requesting 
Congress to aid us in contemplated road from Law- 
renceburg to Fort Wayne which must pass through 
this county? 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



87 



" 8. Would you vote for an appropriation of $5,000 
or $6,000 of the people's money to furnish the Gov- 
ernor's house with carpets, side-boards, looking- 
glasses, etc., etc. 

" The above questions are easily answered, and we 
hope to see your answers in the next Clarion, as we 
have a right to know your opinions before we are 
called upon to select two out of your number to rep- 
resent us." 

The personal popularity of the candidate and his 
fitness for the oiBce were of paramount importance 
to his views on national political questions. 

On this point we have an illustration in the elec- 
tion referred to above in the choice for Representatives. 

The Palladium, then printed at Lawrencebarg, was 
exulting in consequence of the result of the election 
in this county and the sample it gave of the ' ' tre- 
mendous effect of the veto,'' which brought forth the 
following from the editor of the Clarion: 

"This county has long been one of the most 
decidedly Jacksonian in the State. At the late elec- 
tion, we had two Representatives to select for the 
General Assembly, and five Jacksonians oifored them- 
selves as candidates. The veto message appeared, 
and forthwith three of the five renounced the admin- 
istration and are now friendly to the cause of Mr. 
Clay. The Palladium grossly misrepresents us, 
when it states that Col. Hankins was elected in 
' opposition to the joint eiforts of the Clarion, the 
Times and other Clay papers.' So far from this gen- 
tleman's being ' opposed ' as stated, be was brought 
out by the friends of Mr. Clay, and would not have 
been elected had they not supported him. Even the 
editor of the Clarion gave him his support. The 
other gentleman that was elected received between 
100 and 200 votes from the friends of Mr. Clay. So 
long as there is a majority of Jacksonians in Fayette 
CouQty, and they are disposed to send one of their 
friends to the Legislature, the Clarion will be far 
from affording 'opposition.' But whilst we believe 
that injurious political tenets are abroad, we shall 
never withold one 'jot nor tittle' of our energy to 
convince and reform those who hold them. But we 
hope ever to have our skirts clear of even one effort 
to contravene the will of the majority, notwithstand- 
ing the example given by the Administration. In 
relation to the effect of the veto in Indiana, our 
most sanguine expectations are more than realized, 
luthis county we had a very pretty test of its " effect ' 
on the candidates for the Legislature; and it will 
also be found, when our citizens, generally, are called 
upon to attest their affection for Mr. Clay, that they 
have not been very fastidious concerning the same 
matter." 

The vote for President in the county in 1832 stood 



762 for Henry Clay, and 762 for Andrew Jackson — a 
tie vote. 

As yet there had been no two newspapers published 
in the county at the same time. The Observer, we 
believe, was quiet on political questions, but its suc- 
cessor — the Clarion, which had an existence for two 
years under that title, during which time it was ably 
edited and conducted by Samuel W. Parker, the sub- 
sequently distinguished citizen of Connersville — was 
almost exclusively given to politics. 

The following is an extract from the salutatory of 
the Clarion under date of May 22, 1830: 

"As a warrior and a martial benefactor, we es- 
teem Gen. Jackson as second only to the Father of 
this country, but against many of the acts of our Gov- 
ernment since he came in civil power, we enter an un- 
qualified protest. As an undefiled patriot — an able 
and unyielding advocate of the rights of man, and the 
welfare and glory of our common country — we regard 
Henry Clay only as the younger brother of Washing- 
ton, Franklin and Jefferson. Believing the eyes and 
the affections of the American people to be turned up- 
on him. to enable them to acclaim on the 4th of 
March, 1833, 'Redeemed, and disenthralled,' to him, 
for the next Chief Magistrate we yield a hearty and 
unwavering support." * # * 

Mr. Parker was a forcible writer and his labors 
were untiring for the support of Henry Clay. Other 
extracts are here subjoined from several issues of the 
Clarion. November 12, 1831. — "We do not believe 
that Jackson can be re-elected. We will do our best 
to expose the hideous deformity of his career, and to 
undeceive the blind. If then he triumphs, the Re- 
public can withstand the battling of another four 
years tempest — the political heavens will be the more 
serene when the warring elements are] once more 
stilled. We think that we are not ignorant of what 
we are doing, or of our responsibility — -our course is 
right onward." 

From the Clarion May 26, 1832. — '■'■ Nos mutamus 
et tempora mutantur in nobis — 'We change, and the 
times are chaagod with us.' 'What!' exclaims our old 
and constant readers, ' you have not 'changed' to a 
Jacksonian, we hope — No! no! no! dear sirs. A thous- 
and leagues further from it, if possible, than when 
we made to you our first bow, two years ago. Suffice 
it then to say that this number not only concludes the 
second volume, but terminates the existence of the 
Clarion." 

Following the Clarion was published the Indiana 
Sentinel by Caleb B. Smith and Matthew R. Hull, 
which paper supported Clay. The following is ex- 
tracted from an editorial under date of October 13, 
1832- 

"In our prospectus we pledged ourselves to sup- 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



port a syBtem of Internal Improvements, and to advo- 
cate the re-chartering of the United States Bank. 
We believed then as we do now, that those are meas- 
ures of vital importance to this county, and that the 
interests of the people call in the most emphathic 
terms for their support. In order to sustain those 
measures it is necessary to support for the Presidency, 
Buch an individual as will be favorable to their 
adoption. We would not support those measures 
without opposing for the Presidency an individual 
who might be opposed to them. It is for this reason 
that we have deemed it our duty to oppose the re-elec- 
tion of Gen. Jackson. * * * In the event of 
his reelection that system of internal improvements 
from which we have heretofore derived the most in- 
calculable benefits, must be destroyed. The United 
States Bank must be prostrated, $30,000,000 must 
be withdrawn from the circulation of the western 
country, the farmer's pork, his beef, corn, whisky, 
plow-horses, cattle, and in fact every article produced 
in the W^est must depreciate in value at least 25 
per cent, and the soui'ces of our wealth and national 
prosperity must be dried up. * * * * 

His attempt to destroy the bank of the United States 
must if it succeeds destroy our commerce, produce 
universal depression in«all our markets, and render 
the poor and industrious part of the community a prey 
to the extortions of usurers and shar^jers. His utter 
contempt of the Supreme Court of the United States, 
his disregard of its decisions and his declarations 
that he is entirely independent of its authority, mani- 
fest a disposition to assume arbitrary and unlimited 
power, and would eventually, if contenanced by the 
people, destroy that invaluable institution, which may 
be regarded as the key-stone of the arch of our liber- 
ties. * * * It is then against such doctrines and 
measures as these, and many others supported by 
Gen. Jackson, that we contend." 

The only apology we offer for so liberal quota- 
tions in this connection, is the distinguished posi- 
tions these editors subsequently occupied in State and 
national affairs. 

In August, 1831, the candidates for Congress in 
the Third District, which was then composed of 
Rush, Wayne, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Decatur, 
Franklin, Dearborn, Union, Switzerland, Ripley, Ran- 
dolph, Fayette and Allen Counties, were Gen. Jona- 
than McCarty, (Jackson) Judge John Teat and Hon. 
Oliver H. Smith (both Clay), and the result was the 
election of the Jackson candidate. Gen. McCarty, by 
a majority of 95-1 over Mr. Smith, the second in the 
race. The vote of Fayette County was for McCarty 
775, Smith 580, and Test 68. 

It was in this year (1831) that the first National 
Convention ever assembled in the United States met 



in the city of Baltimore, prior to which time nomina- 
tions for President and Vice-President had been made 
by members of Congress. 

In the course of time the custom of making party 
nominations for candidates in States and counties 
became in vogue, and not many years elapsed until 
candidates for the Legislature and other minor offices 
in Fayette were made in this way. 

The great campaign of 18-10, characterized as the 
hard cider and log-cabin campaign, was of unusual 
interest in Fayette County, as was it all over the 
United States. 

The Presidential vote of the county this year by 
townships, was: Orange ^Harrison, 101; Van Buren, 
54; Waterloo— Harrison, 33; Van Buren, 91; Colum- 
bia — Harrison, 96; Van Buren, 36; Harrison — Harri- 
son, 181; Van Buren, 69; Posey — Harrison, 75; Van 
Buren, 65; Jackson —Harrison, 102; Van Buren, 101; 
Connersville— Harrison, 532; Van Baren, 179; Jen 
nings^Harrison, 17; Van Buren, 83. Total — Har- 
rison, 1,090; Van Buren, 678. 

Probably the greatest political meeting held in 
Fayette County between 1840 and the breaking out 
of the war of the Rebellion, was the Republican 
rally of August 7, 1860. The crowd was estimated 
from 6,000 to 8,000 people. There was a grand pro- 
cession of about one mile in length, composed of mil- 
itary and "wide awake'' companies, brass bands, 
cannons, wagons^ bedecked with banners and flags, 
etc., etc. Among the striking features of the parade 
were a blacksmith-shop on wheels from Bunker Hill, 
in which John Benedict was shoeing ahorse; a wagon 
on which Andrew Moffitt and John Atherton were 
splitting rails; a car containing thirty-three voters, 
each bearing a red flag inscribed with the name of 
State; a Lincoln car gotten up by the young men of 
Connersville, containing thirty-three young ladies, 
and a wagon in which the typos of the Times office 
had their material, and were engaged in setting up 
documents for the people. The exercises of the day 
were held in Claypool's Grove; speakers. Col. Lane 
and Caleb B. Smith. Thei-e was a grand torch- light 
procession in the evening, after which the people 
assembled at the court house, where addresses were 
delivered by William Wallace, Charles P. Conlon 
and J. D. Farquhar. 

Below will be found the vote of Fayette County at 
different periods subsequent to 1840: 

1840 — Vote for Governor: Samuel Bigger, 1,103; 
Telghman Howard, 765. 

1843— Vote for Governor: Samuel Bigger, 923; 
James Whitcomb, 789; Wilson Demming, 5. 

1844— Vote for President: Henry Clay (Whig), 
1051; James K. Polk (Democrat), 908; James G. 
Birney (Abolition). 10. 



HISTORY OP PAYETTE COUNTY. 



89 



1848 — Vote for President: Zachary Taylor, 
(Whig), 1,040; Lewis Cass (Democrat), 765; Martia 
Van Buren (Free Soil), 86. 

1849 — Vote for Governor: John A. Matson (Whig) 
1,002; Joseph A. Wright (Democrat), 889; Jamea H. 
Cravens (Free Soil), 3'2. 

1852— Vote for President: Winfield Scott (Whig), 
1,019; Franklin Pierce (Democrat), 872; John P. 
Hale (Free Soil), 83. Vote for Governor: Nicholas 
McCarty (Whig), 921; Joseph A. Wright (.Democrat), 
869; A. L. Robinson (Free Soil), 00. 

1856 — Vote for President by Townships: Con- 
nersville Township —John C. Fremont (Republican), 
409; James Buchanan (Democrat), 292; Millard Fil- 
more (American), 17. 

Jennings Township — Fremont, 101; Buchanan, 64. 

Jackson Township — Fremont, 125; Buchanan, 
130; Filmore, 1. 

Orange Township— Fremont, 85; Buchanan, 70; 
Filmore, 5. 

Columbia Township — Fremont, 128; Buchanan, 
68; Filmore, 5. 

Fairview Township — Fremont, 76; Buchanan, 67. 

Harrison Township — Fremont, 111; Buchanan, 
88; Filmore, 3. 

Posey Township — Fremont, 106; Buchanan, 125; 
Filmore, 9. 

Waterloo Township — Fremont, 49; Buchanan, 98. 

Total: Fremont, 1,190; Buchanan, 1,002; Filmore 
40. 

1860 — -Vote for President: Abraham Lincoln 
(Republican), 1,143; Stephen A. Douglas (Democrat), 
917; John Bell (Unionist), 9; John C. Breckenridge 
(Democrat), 39. 

1864— Vote for President: Abi-aham Lincoln (Re- 
publican), 1,318; George B. McClelland (Democrat), 
860. 

1868— Vote for President: Ulysses S. Grant (Re 
publican), 1,475; Horatio Seymour (Democrat), 1,131. 
Vote for Governor: Conrad Baker (Republican), 
1,473; Thomas Hendricks (Democrat), 1,178. 

1880— Vote for Governor: Alb.n-t G. Porter (Re- 
publican), 1,752; Franklin Landers (Democrat), 1,237- 



MEMBERS OF OONGRESS. 

The following list contains the names of men who 
have been honored with a seat in the National House 
of R9pre3ant;itives fron th* Gjogresaional District 
of which Fayette County has constituted a part, who 
were residents of the county: 

1827-29— Oliver H. Smith.* 

1831-37 — Jonathan McCarty. 

1843-49— Caleb B. Smith. 

•Went to the United States Senate iu 1837. 



1851-55— Samuel W. Parker. 
1871-75 -Jeremiah M. Wilson. 

MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 

The following list of Senators and Representa- 
tives is given as heretofore published, there being no 
record of them kept in the county: 

Senate. — When the couaty was first formed it con- 
tinued for Seaatorial ami Representative purposes 
attached tj the counties of Fraaklin and Wayne. 
John Conner, in 1816, was the Senator-elect for 
Franklin County, and was the first Senator of Fay- 
ette County. From 1820 to 1878 the counties of 
Union and Fayette constituted one Senatorial Dis- 
trict. Since the latter period the counties of Union, 
Rush and Fayette have constituted the district. 
These counties have been represented iu this body by 
the following-named: Lewis Johnson, 1820-24; Ross 
Smiley, 1824-28; Newton Claypool, 1828-31; James 
Leviston, 1831-34; William Caldwell, 1834-36; New- 
ton Claypool, 1836-37; William Watt, 1837-41; 
Samuel W. Parker, 1841-43; James Leviston, 1843- 
46; Henry Simpson, 1846-49: John S. Reid, 1849-53; 
Miner Meeker, 1853-57; John Yaryan, 1857-58; T. 
W. Bennett, 1858-61; B. F. Claypool, 1861-65; T. 
W. Bennett, 1865-69; James Elliott, 1869-71; 
Richard M. Ha worth, 1871-74; Milton Trusler, 
1878-80; Jesse J. Spann, 1880-84. 

House. — Until 1822 the Representatives of Frank- 
lin County were also the Representatives of Fayette 
County. Uptm the adoption of the constitution of 
1850 the session of the Legislature became biennial, 
and members were elected for two years. Since 1858 
the counties of Union and Fayette have constituted 
one Representative District: 1818 — S. S. Stevens, 
James Snowden, John Bryerson; 1818-19 — James 
Gowdie, Allen Ci-isler, Jonathan McCarty; 1820-21 
— James Gowdie, James Hanna, Enoch D. John; 
1822— Oliver H. Smith; 1823— James Brownlee; 
1825— Newton Claypool; 1826— Newton Claypool, 
Martin M. Ray; 1827— Newton Claypool; 1828— 
S. C. Sample, Marks Crume; 1829— Marks Grume; 
1830— Marks Crume, Daniel Hankins; 1831— Man- 
love Caldwell, Marks Crume; 1832 — -Marks Crume, 
Allen Crisler; 1833-34-Marks Crume, C. B. Smith; 
1835 -C. B. Smith, Philip Mason; 1836— C. B. 
Smith, Marks Crume; 1837 — Wilson Thompson, 
Marks Crume; 1838— John Wilty, Philip Mason; 
1839— Matthew R. Hull, Samuel W. Parker; 1840— 
C. B. Smith, Philip Mason; 1841— Wilson Thomp- 
son, Minor Meeker; 1842 — Newton Claypool, Minor 
Meeker; 1843— S. W. Parker, Henry Simpson; 1844 
— Newton Claypool, Samuel Little; 1845 -William 
Stewart, Minor Meeker; 1846— William Stewart; 
1847— Samuel Little; 1S48— Thomas W. Hankins; 



90 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



1849— Charles M. Stone; 1850— John B. Linsey, 
1851— John B. Linsey; 1853— Archibald F. Martin; 
1855— Nelson Trusler; 1857— Charles M. Stone; 
1859— George W. Treadway; 1861— R. M. Haworth. 



1863— Russell B. Perry; 1865— Gilbert Trusler 
1867— W. W. Thrasher; 1869— B. F. Williams 
1871— B. F. Williams; 1873— Warner Broaddus 
1875— Milton Trusler. 



CHAPTER XL 



THE PRESS. 

FIRST EFFORT— THE FAYETTE OBSERVOR— ABRAHAM VAN VLEET— THE POLITICAL CLARION, AND ITS SUCCESSOR, 
THE INDIANA SENTINEL— THE WATCHMAN— THE INDIANA TELEGRAPH— DANIEL RENCH— WILLIAM STEWART 
THK CHRISTIAN CASKET— THE LADIES' TEMPERANCE WREATH— THE CONNERSVILLE TIMES— THE CONNERS- 
VILLE EXAMINER— THE CONNERSVILLE NEWS. 



THE first equipment for printing purposes was 
brought to the county in 1823, from the village of 
Lebanon, Ohio, by Abraham Van Vleet. Mr. Van 
Vleet was a native of New Jersey, born in 1783. 
About the year 1S12 he immigrated to Ohio, locating 
in Lebanon, where about the year 1816 he became 
connected with the publication of the Western Star, 
a paper that was established in that village in 1806, 
by John McLean, afterward Justice of the Supreme 
Court of the United States. Mr. Van Vleet from 
Lebanon removed to Connersville, but at this time the 
country was too new to maintain a printing establish- 
ment. [In the Commissioners' proceedings of 1824, 
reference is made to the Indiana Statesman in con- 
nection with the name of A. Van Vleet, and the in- 
ference is that the paper was started by Mr. Van 
Vleet, at Connersville, but was short-lived.] 

THE FAYKTTB OBSERVER. 

In 1826 the Fayette Observer was established at 
Connersville by A. Van Vleet and Daniel Bench. Vol. 
I, No. 4, of that paper bears date of July 8, 1826; 
it is a four-column folio, and was printed and pub- 
lished by A. Van Vleet for Daniel Rench. At some 
time between this date and 1829, Mr. Van Vleet 
severed his connection with the Observer. In 1829 
the paper was issued under the names of David Rench 
and John Sample, Jr., which gentlemen published 
their valedictory under date of May 8, ,1830, in which 
it was stated that they had disposed of the establish- 
ment to Samuel W. Parker, and that the "present 
number of the Fayette Observer will forever remain 
the last." 

Samuel W. Parker, who had located at Conners- 
ville as a school teacher in 1828, began writing edi- 
torially for the Observer early in 1829: "the pro- 
prietor of which and senior editor," says Mr. Parker, 
' ' was Daniel Rench. " Mr. Parker soon became editor 



in charge, and, in February, 1830, in a manner the 
proprietor of the paper. 

ABRAHAM VAN VLEET. 

Before proceeding further we remark that in 1831 
Abraham Van Vleet went to New York City, where 
his death occurred in the summer of 1832. From 
his obituary notice is extracted the following: " Hav- 
ing been doomed in early life to struggle with the 
relentless hand of poverty, he had no means of culti- 
vating bis mind or acquiring knowledge, except by 
his own exertions, at such times as he was able to 
remit his labor for a subsistence. To obtain this 
laudable object, he was unremitting in his endeavors, 
and at the midnight hour, instead of resting in the 
arms of sleep, after the labors of the flay, he kept 
his constant vigil at the shrine of knowledge by the 
pale light of the lamp. Over it he hovered, until he 
procured a respectable education, one which rendered 
him useful to mankind, his country, and his God. 
He edited a public journal in Lebanon, Ohio, a num- 
ber of years, during which time he was called upon 
by the people to render them civil service. He was 
the author of several books, some of which have con- 
ferred a lasting benefit upon his country." Of these 
we mention that " The Ohio, or Western Spelling 
Book " is believed to have been printed by Mr. Van 
Vleet. in Lebanon, about 1814. In 1821 he compiled 
a work entitled "The Justice and Township Officer's 
Assistant," comprising a great variety of judicial 
forms and other necessary precedents for the use of 
Justices of the Peace, Constables and township offi- 
cers in their official duties, etc. 

THE POLITICAL CLARION AND ITS SUCCESSOR, THE INDIANA 
SENTINEL. 

On assuming control of the office of the Observer, 
Mr. Parker purchased new material, etc., and sent 
forth to the country the first issue of a new paper, 








ia<-^-<rxjyy 



lyyi-^ 




HISTORY /OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



93 



titled the Political Clarion, May 22, 1839. The 
Clarion was printed on a super-royal sheet, and flew 
a lengthy motto from Alexander Hamilton, and was, 
in the full sense of the word, a political paper, 
and gave a hearty and unwavering support to Henry 
Clay for the Presidency. The editor was a scholarly 
young man of unusual brilliancy, and the Clarion 
was edited with the ability that characterized his sub- 
sequent life. May 26, 1832, appeared the last num- 
ber of the Clarion, which was succeeded by the Indi- 
ana Sentinel, the first number of which appeared 
June 2, 1832, edited and published by C. B. Smith 
and M. R. Hull. Both were men of ability and the 
result was a spirited paper. It supported Henry Clay 
for President. Mr. Smith withdrew from the Sentinel 
May 25, 1833, and the paper was published for several 
years by Mr. Hull. These were all men of marked 
ability, and further reference is made to their lives 
and to these papers elsewhere in this work. 

TEffi WATCHMAN. 

No. 1, Vol. I, of a paper entitled the Watch- 
man made its appearance in Connersville under date 
of May 31, 1834, published by Van Vleet & Stewart, 
and edited by S. W. Parker and Van Vleet. [In 
manuscript left by Mr. Parker, it is stated that he 
established the Watchman.^ In the spring of 1836 
Mr. Stewart withdrew from the paper, and was suc- 
ceeded by John Sample, Jr., Mr. Parker withdrawing 
the following fall. It is said that the Watchman 
continued an existence until about 1841, and was 
published in main by William Stewart. 

THE INDIANA TELEGRAPH. 

From the termination of the Watchman until the 
establishment of the Whitewater Valley Times and of 
the Examiner the history of the press seems somewhat 
mixed and obscure. A paper titled the Indiana Tel- 
egraph was started by Louis C. Fouts in a building on 
Monroe Street opposite the court house, at about the 
period the Watchman is said to have ceased its exist- 
ence. Its political complexion is seen in the follow- 
ing extract from the prospectus: " We intend un- 
compromisingly to advocate those grand cardinal 
principles which constitute the political creed of the 
Democratic Whig party — the establishment of a 
United States Bank — an increase of the tariff." In 
December, 1841, F. B. Thomas and W. A. Hotchkiss 
became the proprietors of this paper, and several 
years later we find the name of R. T. Brown as its 
publisher. Between the years 1843 and 1845 the 
Telegraph passed into the hands of William Stewart, 
and was conducted by him for several years. Through 
how many hands the paper subsequently passed we 
know not; however, it is said that for a period Mr. S. 



W. Swiggett conducted it and sold to a company who 
published it as a Democratic paper. Subsequently 
the paper was issued by T. J. White, and in 1859 
was published by Messrs. Higgs & Smith, the for- 
mer being the present publisher of the Examiner. 
Mr. Smith soon withdrew and the paper was issued 
by Mr. Higgs until in 1861, when he sold to Frank 
Brown. This gentleman for a period conducted the 
paper under the name of the Fayette County Union 
(or established the Union at the time) when the office 
was removed from the town. 

DANIEL RENCH. 

Daniel Rench, who for quite a period of years was 
connected with the publishing interests of the county, 
was a native of Maryland, and about the year 1812 
settled in Jackson Township; was chosen the first 
Auditor of the county in 1841, filling the position 
some ten years, and subsequently from 1865 to 1872 
served as the Recorder of the county. His death 
occurred February 10, 1872, in the seventy-third year 
of his age. He had been a Mason for fifty-three 
years. 

WILLIAM STEWART. 

William Stewart was born in Pennsylvania in 
1815 and with his parents located in Connersville in 
1821. Says his biographer: " He was one of the 
oldest printers of the State." He served an appren- 
ticeship in the office of the Observer. He was en- 
gaged in the publication of papers in all some thir- 
teen years. In 1847-48 he served from this county 
as a Representative in the State Legislature. His 
death occurred in February, 1865. 

THE CHRISTIAN CASKET. 

In the spring of 1832 was established in Conners- 
ville a religious paper under the title of the Chris- 
tian Casket, a monthly paper of sixteen pages, by 
Elder John O'Kane, who had with him as associate 
editor. Dr. R. T. Brown. The Casket was discontin- 
ued at the close of the first volume. 

THE ladies' temperance WREATH. 

Along in 1854 there was established in Conners- 
ville a paper under the title of the Ladies' Temper- 
ance Wreath. It was edited by Mrs. Lavinia Brown - 
lee and Miss M. Louise Chitwood. The Wreath was 
a semi-monthly devoted to temperance, particularly 
as it related to women, their duties and responsibili- 
ties with reference to the great reform in the varjoua 
relations of life. Nothing further of this paper is 
known to us. 

the connersville times. 

We have been unable to get anything definite as 
to the origin of the Times, having been able to find 
no tiles of the paper back of 1854, and to obtain 



94 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



nothing satisfactory from the memories of old citi- 
zens consulted on the subject. No. 1, Vol. V, of the 
Connersville Times bears date of September 21, 1854, 
published by J. E. Randall and W. H. Green. Prior 
to the month of September, 1854, the paper was pub- 
lished by Randall & Maker; that month the latter' s 
interest was purchased by Mr. Green, and the name 
changed from the Whitewater Valley Times to the 
name it has since borne. With the issue of the paper 
of November 16, 1854, Mr. Randall was succeeded by 
J. H. McClung, and from that time until May 15, 
1856, the Times was published under the name of 
Green & McClung, the latter retiring with that issue. 
From that time until in December, 1867, the Times 
was published and edited by Mr. Green alone, mak- 
ing his connection with the paper cover a period of 
over thirteen years; so long a time, and covering an 
eventful period in our country's history, that it may 
not be out of place to refer briefly to his life. He 
was born in Clark County, this State, in 1814; was 
apprenticed to the printer's trade in the oflSce of the 
New Albany Gazette at the age of sixteen years; in 
1838 he became a partner in the publication of that 
paper, with which he remained connected until 1845 
(the first daily paper in the State). In 1847 he 
established the Crawford County Whig at Leaven- 
worth, Ind. ; in 1 849 he was connected with the New 
Albany Bulletin. From 1867 to 1875 he served as 
Auditor of Fayette County. He is now publishing 
the Brookville American. 

In December, 1867, the paper and office of the 
Connersville Times was purchased by A. M. Sinks. 
That same winter G. M. Sinks, a brother, became a 
partner, and the Times was published until in 1870 
by A. M. & G. M. Sinks. In 1870 another brother, 
M. R. Sinks, became a third owner of the paper. 
May 1, 1871, A. M. Sinks sold his interest in the 
office to G. M. & M. R. Sinks, who published the 
Times until in 1873, when M. R. sold to G. M. July 
1, 1875, the paper passed from G. M. Sinks into the 
hands of John A. James and W. F. Downs. These 
gentlemen were the proprietors of the paper until in 
August, 1877, when Mr. Downs sold his interest to 
Charles N. Sinks. One year later Mr. James sold 
his interest to Mr. Sinks, who became the sole pro- 
prietor, and published the paper until in September, 
1880, when the office was purchased by John C. 
Ochiltree and W. F. Downs. In March, 1881, these 
gentlemen consolidated the Times with the News, 
then published by McClung & Bacon, and the paper 
was issued under the title of the Connersville Times 
and News. In August, 1881, Mr. Ochiltree disposed 
of his interest in the office to McClung, Bacon & 
Downs, and on the 9th of November following the 
entire business was purchased by A. M. Sinks and J. C. 



Ochiltree. The Neivs portion of the title was 
dropped in October, 1881. From November, 1881, 
until July 1, 1884, the Times and business of the office 
was carried on by these gentlemen, under whose 
management the Times has been judiciously con 
ducted and wisely edited, ever advocating such meas- 
ures as are ennobling to man, and to the best inter- 
ests of the public generally, which are in the line of 
progress and advancement. Both men of strong 
political convictions, the Times has not been silent on 
the political questions of the day, but is ever on the 
alert in the furtherance of the principles of the Re- 
publican party. With the issue of the paper of July 2, 
1884, Mr. Ochiltree, the junior editor, retired, leaving 
Mr. Sinks the sole proprietor and editor. Mr. Sinks 
is well fitted for the editorial chair, being a scholarly 
gentleman and a man of legal attainments, and of long 
years' experience in that profession. Biographies of 
these gentlemen appear elsewhere in this work. It 
is claimed for the Times that it is the lineal successor 
of the old Fayette Observer, whose history is given 
previously. The office of the Times is well equipped 
with modern facilities for the execution of tirst-class 
job printing. The paper is a neat six-column quarto, 
30x44 inches, issued on Wednesday of each week, 
and is the Republican organ of the county. 

THE CONNERSVILLE EXAMINEE. 

The Connersville Examiner was established at 
Connersville in the year 1867, the first issue appear- 
ing on Tuesday, December 24th, of that year. It 
was a neat six-column folio published by J. M. 
Higgs and F. M. Pickett. In a lengthy and well 
written salutatory was fully set forth the mission of 
the journal. The men at the helm believed that the 
safety of the Government depended upon the success- 
ful carrying out of old fashioned Democratic princi- 
ples, which they meant to advocate to the best of 
their ability. The paper was to be directed in oppo- 
sition to the then system of taxation; it was opposed 
to the national bank system and believed that the 
national debt should be paid in the same currency 
in which it was contracted — greenbacks. Comment- 
ing on the paper, said the Brookville Democrat, "We 
are in receipt of the first number of a, new Demo- 
cratic paper titled the Connersville Examiner, pub- 
lished at our neighboring town of Connersville by 
Messrs. J. M. Higgs and F. M. Pickett. The Exam- 
iner is very neat in its 'make up' and its general 
appearance indicates good workmanship. Its edito- 
rials are spicy and pointed, and are evidently writ- 
ten by one who is no stranger to editorial life. * ^ 
* Mr. Pickett was formerly one of the local 
editors of the Indianapolis Herald and is an able 
writer." 



HISTOKY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



95 



The Examiner was enlarged to a seven-column 
paper with the issue of June 23, 1868, and continued 
to be published under the firm name given above 
until March 17, 1869, when Mr. Pickett withdrew, 
leaving Mr. Higgs the sole proprietor and editor. 
From time to time since the paper was launched upon 
its voyage, it has steadily grown until to-day it is a 
nine-column folio ranking with the largest county 
papers in the State. On New Year's Day, 1882, it 
appeared in a new dress and on May 17 following, 
assumed its present proportions. In the beginning 
the materials of the office were limited and of prim- 
itive design, since which time these have been 
replaced by the most modern type and machinery 
until now the office is well equipped for the execu- 
tion of first class job printing. Mr. Siggs, the pro- 
prietor and editor in chief is a practical printer, 
having served an apprenticeship in the village of 
Brookville, Ind., and is well qualified for journalism, 
which for upward of eighteen years he has pursued 
among the same people, and it is to his credit to say 
that during that long period his labors through the 
columns of the Examiner in the advocacy of such 
measures as have tended to build up the city have 
not been without results; and that the interests of 
his party have not suffered at his hands. His biog- 
raphy will be found elsewhere in this work. The 
Examiner has kept pace with the progress of the 
age and advocated what was believed to be for the 



best interests of the people of the county. In an 
editorial on the beginning of its seventeenth year 
was stated that "the Examiner in future will con- 
tinue to be Democratic to the core, but will only 
bind itself to support men of honesty, sobriety and 
superior qualifications." * * * * 

The paper is the Democratic organ of Fayette 
County and is published every Wednesday. 

THE CONNEBSVILLE NEWS. 

In 1877 a paper bearing the above name was 
established at Connersville, by E. J. Smith, who was 
its proprietor and editor in chief. The first number 
of the News was issued June 7. It was a six-column 
folio and flew the motto "A truly Independent Jour- 
nal — Fearless in its Advocacy." The News printed a 
German column, the first ever published in the county. 
Under date of August 7, 1 878, the News appeared a 
seven-column folio, Republican in politics, having 
dropped the motto, and was under the proprietorship 
of T. A. Taylor and E. B. Rawles. With the issue 
of February 26, 1879, Mr. Taylor appeared as the 
sole publisher of the paper, and under date of 
November 12, 1879, the proprietors were W. H. 
Green and G. C. Bacon. Subsequently the News 
passed into the hands of McClung & Bacon, who in 
March, 1881, with John C. Ochiltree and W. F. 
Downs, then proprietors of the Times, consolidated 
the two papers. 



CHAPTER XII. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 
POST OFFICES— STATUS OF THE COUNTY IN 1830 AND 1840— STATISTICS— POPULATION OF THE COUNTY BY TOWN- 
SHIPS. 



POSTOFFIOES. 

THE following table exhibits a complete list of all 
the postoffices ever established in Fayette County, 
with the dates of establishment, the names and time 
of service of all Postmasters, the dates any offices 
were discontinued, with all changes in the names of 
offices : 

ALPINE, ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 24, 1868. 

William T. Limpus February 24, 1868 

Edwin J. Thompson August 18, 1876 

JepthaD. Newhouse October 15, 1879 

Euphrates I. Chance September 29, 1880 

ALQUtNA, ESTABLISHED DECEMBER 15, 1838. 

James C. Ross December 15, 1832 

Joseph D. Ross May 23, 1839 

Discontinued March 30, 1848 



Re-established April 28, 1843 

Thomas H. Jackson April 28, 1843 

Baltharis Whitesel August 10, 1848' 

George W. Woodbury November 22, 1848 

John H. Eyestone October 10, 1849 

Thomas H. Jackson February 14, 1854 

Balis E. Jones January 33, 1855 

Joshua Lemraon November 27, 1855 

Hiram H. Maze December 17, 1857 

Milton A. Price December 28, 1869 

Isaac Weils August 29, 1870 

Hiram H. Maze April 15, 1872 

Martha R. Hull May 12, 1875 

Hiram H. Maze February 8, 1876 

Discontinued October 29, 1877 

Re-established November 26, 1877 

Mary F. Dartes November 26, 1877 

William H. Hewitt September 12, 1881 

Andrew Young March 8, 1888 

Willis O. Parker December 17, 1883 



96 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



PLUM ORCHARD, ESTABLISHED NOVEMBER 38, -1837. 

Moses Ellis November 28, 1837 

Changed to Bentonville February 13, 1838 

BENTONVILLE, LATE PLUM ORCHARD. 

Samuel Diskey February 13, 1838 

William Scruggs October 16, 1838 

George W. Daie July 20, 1841 

Ezra Martin September 8, 1842 

Henry R. Hauhn May 28, 1846 

John Lewis May 23, 1847 

Alfred Loden April 20, 1848 

Henry R. Hauhn November 21, 1849 

Absalom M. Wolf September 31, 1854 

John M. Cummings March 14, 1855 

Albert Cortleyou June 33, 1855 

W. W. Sheppard May 31, 1866 

Albert Cortleyou May 28, 1868 

Henry Carver September 24, 1868 

Lloyd B. Carver May 4, 1869 

BzraD. Thatcher August 19, 1870 

Jesse C. Stanley February 19, 1873 

James M. Carver January 19, 1874 

Oliver H. Swift February 14, 1876 

Ira Hathaway June 13, 1883 

CONNERSVILLE, ESTABLISHED JANUARY 28, 1818. 

Joshua Harlan January 28, 1818 

John Sample March 7, 1822 

John Tate June 6, 1839 

Elisha Vance January 6, 1846 

George Frybarger April 5, 1847 

Henry Goodlander December 30, 1847 

Joseph Justice August 1, 1849 

Henry Goodlander February 3, 1858 

John B. Tate July 34, 1857 

Joseph Justice March 19, 1861 

Romeo Lewis January 9, 1863 

Alex R. Morrison IMay 4, 1864 

John Kensler July 23, 1866 

George M. Sinks December 17, 1874 

John W. Ross January 16. 1883 

COLUMBIA, E8T.\BLISHED FEBRUARY 16, 1833. 

Isaac Limpus February 16, 1838 

William Wherrett January 14, 1837 

George W. Logan June 20, 1850 

Caleb B. Clements September 29, 1851 

Lafayette Mount : August 31, 1852 

Daniel O. Darby July 24, 1854 

Discontinued January 9, 1861 

Re-established February 1, 1861 

John D. Darby February 1, 1861 

Benedict Hutchinson November 14, 1861 

John W. Thomas January 22, 1863 

George W. Tucker January 9, 1864 

John I. Thomas February 21, 1865 

John Sterrett December 5, 1865 

George W. Tucker June 24, 1866 

Benedict Hutchinson December 10, 1867 

JolmZ. Perin March 23, 1874 

John H. Sterrett March 35, 1875 

Davids. Abzeno October 8, 1877 

Samuel E. Perin April 5, 1880 

Sarah Ronan April 12, 1883 

John Z. Perin December 27, 1883 



ASHLAND, ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 26, 1847. 

James M. Conner February 26, 1847 

William O'Neal January 24. 1848 

Changed to Null's Mills April 6, 1848 

null's mills, late ASHLAND. 

William G. O'Neil April 6, 1848 

Caleb B. Clements March 16, 1849 

Solomon Brown March 17, 1851 

Oliver Griffin March 1, 18.53 

Solomon Brown August 19, 1854 

Oliver G. McDwain June 33, 1855 

Nelson M. Smith September 1, 1857 

Anthony J. Cavender March 12, 1858 

Oliver H. Millspaugh July 33, 1861 

Discontinued May 4, 1864 

Re-established March 19, 1867 

Henry Mcllwain March 19, 1867 

Samuel Crago August 15, 1870 

John W. Tilton December 39, 1873 

Serepta King February 13, 1874 

Jacob Faikert May 25, 1881 

Andrew J. Salyer April 8, 1874 

ORANGE, ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8, 1833. 

Wiley J. Daniels February 8, 1833 

Burgess G. Wells April 20, 1837 

Thomas Marks February 7. 1840 

John B. Williams March 2, 1843 

Isham Keith July 28, 1842 

Joseph P. Daniel May 38, 1846 

Joel Rhodes August 23, 1862 

Joseph George September 2, 1865 

BENTLY, ESTABLISHED JUNE 27, 1882. 

Ebenezer Glenn , June 37, 1882 

WATERLOO, ESTABLISHED MAY 4, 1835. • 

William Port ^.May 4, 1825 

Amos Chapman March 14, 1844 

William Port June 14, 1845 

Isaac Porry November 11, 1851 

Rany Gillam December 22, 1854 

Thomas G. Price , March 23, 1855 

Rary Gillam September 13, 1862 

John Tro-xell November 18. 1863 

William T. BoUes August 30, 1866 

Discontinued May 18, 1868 

SPRINQERVILLE, ESTABLISHED MAY 16, 1840. 

Thomas Simpson, Jr May 16, 1840 

Nicholas Remington April 2, 1849 

Discontinued November 14, 1849 

Re-established November 2, 1849 

Avarenas Pentecost 

Discontinued May 22, 1850 

Re-established May 11, 1853 

Alvar E. Pentecost May 11, 1853 

Discontinued May 5, 1853 

FAIRVIEW, ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 17, 1835. 

Woodson W. Thrasher February 17, 1835 

Discontinued August 3, 1836 

EVERTON, ESTABLISHED NOVEMBER 10, 1837. 

Joseph D. Thompson November 10, 1837 

Robert N. Taylor February 30, 1838 

James M. Cockefair December 3, 1847 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



97 



William H. Evens March 16, 1849 

Charles H. Chambers September 25, 1851 

James W. Oliphant February 33, 1853 

William Kerr February 5, 1855 

Allen V. Lariraore May 10, 1861 

James L. Miller March 30, 1863 

William P. Adams March 3, 1863 

Edwin J. Thompson May 20, 1864 

John B. Salyer January 3, 1867 

Edwin J. Thompson September 20, 1867 

William Johnston March 9, 1874 

John D. Lambert April 5, 1876 

HARRISBURO, BSTABLISHED MARCH 17, 1828. 

Nathan McClure March 17, 1828 

Anthony Watt April 1, 1846 

Jacob Newkirk August 23, 1847 

Anthony Watt June 16, 1848 

Robert McWatson January 16, 1853 

Oliver Caldwell January 22, 1857 

Anthony Watt January 12, 1860 

Edgar F. Thomas January 17, 1870 

David E. Shallsmith January 8, 1873 

John W. Foster January 8, 1875 

F. T. Williams December 22, 1879 

GROVES, LATE MELROSE, ESTABLISHED JUNK 12, 1849. 

William Clifford, Jr June 12, 1849 

Jacob B. Power August 7, 1852 

William B. Clifford November 12,1852 

William A. Bush May 19, 1853 

Smith Fry September 3, 1858 

Leander C. McConnell October 19, 1859 

Thomas Moffett June 21, 1860 

Christian Wiles September 10, 1861 

John McChire August 18, 1865 

Joseph W. Groves February 27, 1871 

Lafayette Groves September 12, 1878 

John McChire May 24, 1880 

Caroline Caldwell November 7, 1881 

MELROSE, LATE GROVES, ESTABLISHED MAY 14, 1847. 

John Abernathy May 14, 1847 

Changed to Groves June 12, 1849 

GROVES, ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 7, 1840. 

John McClure February 7, 1840 

Arthur Miller July 10, 1845 

William Clifford June 30, 1846 

Changed to Melrose May 14, 1847 

LYONS STATION, ESTABLISHED JUNK 2, 1863. 

Robert R. Monger June 2, 1863 

James V. Lyons February 24, 1865 

LONGWOOD, LATE PHILPOTTS MILLS, ESTABLISHED APRIL 2,1837. 

Ross Smiley April 24, 1837 

Thomas Moffett July 31, 1861 

Discontinued September 28, 1868 

Re-establi.shed March 25, 1872 

Philip'.N. Marks March 25, 1872 

Samuel M. Atherton April 2, 1873 

Matthew P. Hawkins February 14, 1876 

William C. Moffett July 14, 1879 

PHILPOTTS MILLS, ESTABLISHED DECEMBER 15, 1832. 

William Philpott December 15, 1832 

Changed to Longwood April 24, 1837 



STATUS OF THE COUNTY IN 1830 AND IN 1840. 

There were according to the United States census 
taken in 1830, then in the county 17 grist-mills, 16 
saw-mills, 4 sets of carding-machines, 2 mills for 
fulling and dressing cloth and upward of 40 distil- 
leries. The population of the county was 9,111, and 
that of the village of Connersville 500. The other 
villages of the county were Waterloo, West Union, 
Danville and Harrisburg, each with an estimated pop- 
ulation- of from 30 to 50. The postoflSces were 
Connersville, Everton, Harrisburg, Waterloo and 
Plumb Orchard. There were 5 Baptist and 4 Meth- 
odist meeting-houses, besides meetings of various 
other denominations. The number of working oxen 
in the county was 282. 

According to the census of 1840 the value of gran- 
ite, marble and other stone produced in the county 
was $6,216; 28 men were employed in the same. 
There were 3,790 horses and mules; neat cattle, 
9,257; sheep, 15,784; swine, 31,343. The estimated 
value of poultry of all kinds, $3,534. The number of 
bushels of wheat, 70,439; barley, 75; oats, 123,815; 
rye, 7,989; buckwheat, 393; Indian corn, 71 1,855; 
pounds of wool, 27,235; pounds of hops, 34; wax, 87; 
bushels of potatoes, 16,794; tons of hay, 4,875; flax 
and hemp, 4^; pounds of tobacco gathered, 808; 
pounds of sugar made, 28,721; cords of wood sold, 
2,794; value of the products of the dairy, $4,907; 
value of the products of the orchard, $695; value of 
home-made goods, $11,813; value of produce of mar- 
ket gardeners, $220; retail dry-goods, grocery, and 
other stores, 21; capital invested in the same, $89,800. 
There were three butchers and packers, and in the 
business $300 was invested. The value of bricks and 
lime made, $2,385, giving employment to 22 men. 
In other manufactures was invested $456. There 
was one fulling-mill in which was invested $1,000. 
The value of hats and caps manufactured, $9,400; 16 
persona were employed and the capital invested was 
$6,000. There were three tanneries in which were 
employed 9 men, and the amount of capital invested 
was $7,300; at these tanneries were tanned 1,280 
sides of sole leather and 1,900 sides of upper leather. 
Besides these tanneries there were 16 other man- 
ufactories of leather, saddleries, etc., with the value 
of manufactured articles $1,567; capital invested, 
$5,690. The number of pounds of soap manufactured 
was 134,011; of tallow candles, 11,882. There 
were five distilleries which produced 20,800 gallons 
of distilled and fermented liquors, and gave employ- 
ment to 11 men; capital invested $6,900. There was 
one printing office, at which was printed a weekly 
paper which gave employment to 3 men; capital 
invested $650. The value of carriages and wagons 
manufactured, $2,492; 8 men employed and amount 



98 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



of capital invested, $1,030. There were 2 flouring 
mills at which were manufactured 1,700 barrels of 
flour. There were 6 grist-mills, 14 saw-mills and 2 
oil-mills, at all of which were manufactured articles 
to the value of $14,180; 23 men employed and capital 
invested $22,325. The amount of furniture manu- 
factured was valued at $4,000; 6 men employed and 
capital invested, $1,900. That year were built in the 
county 7 brick and stone houses, and 15 wooden ones, 
which gave employment to 60 men and their value 
was estimated at $24,695. The value of all other 
manufactures was $33,137; capital invested, $7,262. 
Total capital invested, $60,513. 



STATISTICS. 



The following table exhibits the tax assessment 
for the county for the year 1831, the earliest tax 
duplicate that we were able to find: 



339 57 



State tax on 1,417 polls 

State tax on 1,841 acres of iirst-rate land ' 

County tax on 1,841 acres of first-rate land ' 813 80% 

State tax on 67,914 acres of second-rate land 

County tax on 67,914 acres of second-rate land 

State tax on 47,397 acres of third-rate land 

County tax on 47,397 acres of third-rate land... 

County tax on 1,869 horses, mules, etc 

County tax on 235 work oxen 

County tax on 80 silver watches 

County tax on 3 gold watches 

County tax on 18 covering horses 

County tax on 89,507.80 valuation town lots 

State tax on delinc[uencies for the year 1330 

County tax on delinquencies for the year 1830.. 

State tax on unsold lands for the year 1830 

County tax on unsold lands for the year 1830... 



Total State tax on transcript 

Total county tax on transcript 

Road tax assessment on (non-resident) lands and 

lots for 1831 

Koad tax assessment on unsold lands and lots forj 
1831 



177 735i 
700 SlQ 

53 4.3JI 

20 00 
3 00 

39 00 

47 63% 



16 OO 



4 03 



81,414 99>.^ 



Total road tax on transcript 

Making a grand total on transcript of State, 
county and road tax for the year 1831 



8531 37U 
14 72% 



407 4S}i 
"i'89"5S% 



28 121.^ 

""s'myl 



81,174 99H 



32 75% 

1 84% 



$34 60!4 



82,624 59!^ 



The assessment of property, under the laws for 



the collection of taxes, afibrds the best means at our 
command to show the growth of the wealth of the 
county. It gives by no means the market value, be- 
ing generally much bolow the selling price. Sub- 
joined are the statistics for several years. Though 
the table is incomplete it will partially serve its pur- 
pose. 



YEAR. 


Value of 
Lands. 


Value of 
Improve- 
ments on 
Lands. 


Value of 
T'wn Lots 

and Im- 
provem'ts 


Value of 
Taxables. 


County 
Tax. 


County 

and State 
Tax. 


1831 








81,070,313 
2,.34S,330 
2,625,081 
5,765,670 
6,542,915 
7,007,525 


81,394 96 
4,235 S9S 
11,843 19 
29,043 38 


82,538 14 


1841 






81.36,817 

222,534 

362,630 

Taxables 

in the city 

from 1870. 

81,104,383 

1,492,395 

1,326,300 

703,520* 


14,698 62 


IS,™ 


81,384,724 
3,075,235 


$296,.583 
282,305 


21,797 42 


I860 


39,694 04 


1865 


169,599 35 
107,616 41 


1867 








1870. 








1875 






7,867,121 
7,652,364 






1883 


3,535,950 


561,985 


76,860 75 


100,849 83 





*Value of town lots and improvements. 

The amount of taxes levied for the years 1819, 
1820, 1821 and 1822, as nearly as can be judged, was 
about $900 per year. 

POPULATION OF FAYETTE COUNTY BY TOWNSHIPS IN 1850, 

1860, 1870 AND 1880. 



TOWNSHIPS. 



Columbia 

Connersville*. . . 
Connersville 

First Ward. .. 

Second Ward. 

Third Ward. . 

Fairvlew 

Harrison , 

.Jackson 

Evertonf 

Jennings 

Orange 

Posey 

Waterloo 



1850. 



1,065 
1,396 



1,544 
1,284 



893 
1,129 
1,184 

833 



1860. 



912 
1,162 
2,119 



662 
889 

1,199 
289 
790 
761 

1,080 
651 



1870. 



929 

1,211 

2,496 

828 

1,058 

615 

601 

867 

1,037 

149 

836 

881 

947 

671 



1880. 



803 
1,432 
3,228 



639 
999 
982 



846 
812 
981 
672 



* Exclusive of the city of Connersville. 
tVUlage. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



THE BENCH AND THE BAR. 

CIRCUITS AND JUDGES— EARLY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS— FIRST AND LATER LAWYERS AT THE FAYETTE 
COURTS— REFERANCE TO THE LAWYERS AND PRACTICE OF EARLY INDIANA— RESIDENT LAWYERS. 



IN reviewing the history of the bench and the bar, 
we have to reach out beyond county limits. At 
the organization of the county, the Judge traveled 
the "Whitewater country, extending from the Ohio on 
the south to the State of Michigan on the north, and 
from the Ohio line on the east to "White River on the 
west, a territory probably 200x70 miles. Many of 
the early lawyers practiced in the courts of the entire 
region. 



A glance at the Whitewater bar reveals the names 
of an able array of men — men who shone as bright 
lights in the Senate of the United States, in the Lower 
House, iu the Cabinet, in the Gubernatorial chair 
in the Supreme Court, on the field of battle, and in 
other high official positions. 

With the meager data at our command, and lim- 
ited space, we can only hope to present some facts 
connected with the legal profession of Fayette 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



99 



County, and with the circuits of which it has in the 
past formed a part, not elsewhere recorded. This we 
shall endeavor to do with some regard to chronolog- 
ical order. Biographies of some of the most dis- 
tinguished resident members of the legal profession 
will be found elsewhere in this work. 

The legal business of the earliest pioneers of 
the county for a decade after its first settlement was 
transacted at the seat of justice of the territory of 
which they formed a part — Lawreaceburg, and later 
Brookville, Salisbury and Centerville — owing to the 
location of their lands and the time of their bus- 
iness prior to the organization of Fayette County. 

CIRCUITS AND JUDGES. 

After the organization of the county it was placed 
in the Third Judicial Circuit, with which it remained 
until the spring term of 1830. The President Judges 
of the Third Circuit during that period were John 
Watts, who served until the March term, 1S20, when 
succeeded by Miles C. Eggleston, who served until 
the March term of court, 1830. 

At the March term, 1830, Fayette County became 
a part of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, over which pre- 
sided Charles H. Test, whose successor in the spring 
of 1836 was Samuel Bigger. Judge James Perry was 
Bigger's successor by appointment, commissioned 
March 29, 1840; the latter resigned and became Gov- 
ernor. Judge Perry served out the unexpired time 
of Judge Bigger, and was succeeded by Jehu T. Elli- 
ott, who first appeared at the spring term of the court 
184:4. Judge Elliott discharged the duties of the 
ofiSce until 1852, when he was relieved at the spring 
term of that year by the late Oliver P. Morton. 

The following year Fayette County w3s made a 
part of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, and at the spring 
term William M. McCarty, President Judge of that 
circuit, presided at Fayette County. That fall Judge 
McCarty was succeeded by Judge Reuben D. Logan, 
who served through the September term of coiu-t, 1865. 
He was succeeded at the March term, 1866, by Jere- 
miah M. Wilson. At the March term of court, 1871, 
William A. Cullen became successor to Judge Wilson. 

At the spring term of court, 1873, the county 
appears in the Eighth Judicial Circuit, over which 
presided Samuel A. Bonner. In 1883 Fayette was 
made a part of the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, 
over which presided Ferdinand S. Swift, who is the 
present Judge of the Fayette Circuit Court. 

The first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of 
Fayette County was John S. Eeid, whose name 
appears for the first time at the January term of the 
court, 1853. Mi-. Reid ^discharged the duties of this 
oflSce until the December term of court, 1860, when 
he w.as succeeded by Jeremiah M. Wilson, who served 



' until the spring term of court, 1865, then was suo- 
I ceeded by John F. Kibby, who performed the duties 
of the bench until 1873, when the Court of Common 
Pleas was abolished. 

The resident Judges of the county have been John 
I S. Reid and Jeremiah M. Wilson. 

The former was a native of Scotland, and before 
twenty- four years of age had pursued a course of 
study at Oxford University. In 1839 he immigrated 
to America and attended Miami University at Oxford, 
Ohio. After his graduation he taught some in that 
vicinity, and in 1840 removed to Liberty, where he 
also taught school and read law. In 1851 he settled 
in Connersville, and was soon afterward elected Judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas, serving from 1853 to 
1860. He was a member of the State Constitutional 
Convention, and subsequently served as State Senator 
from the counties of Fayette and Union. In 1868 
he was the Democratic nominee for Concrress against 
George W. Julian. Reid's friends claimed his elec- 
tion, and the Judge contested the election, but unsuc- 
cessfully. In 1876 he removed to Indianapolis, where 
he was engaged in the practice of law until his death, 
which occurred September 5, 1879. He was a man 
of decided ability and sterling character. He had a 
taste for literary pursuits and was a poet of some 
distinction. He published a volume of works. 

Judge Wilson is a native of Warren County, 
Ohio, where his youth was passed on a farm. He 
read law at Lebanon, the county seat of Warren, with 
Gen. Durbin Ward, and located at Centerville about 
1854, and a few years subsequently settled at Con- 
nersville. From 1860 to 1865 he served as. Common 
Pleas Judge and as Circuit Judge from 1866 to 1871. 
He represented his district in Congress from 1871 to 
1875, after which he settled in Washington, D. C, 
where he has since been engaged in the active 
practice of his profession. He is a man of recognized 
ability. 

EAKLT PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 

The attorney who prosecuted pleas in behalf of 
the State for the circuit was appointed by the Gov- 
ernor, and in the early history of the courts of 
Fayette County the sum of $20 was the usual allow- 
ance for the services of a Prosecuting Attorney at a 
single term. It was necessary at times for the 
appointment of a County Prosecutor, which was 
made by the Judge. 

In naming some of the men who served in the 
capacity of Prosecuting Attorney for the circuit or 
county in its early history, where either can be 
designated with a degree of certainty, it will be done. 

The first to serve as County Prosecutor was Will- 
iam W. Wicks, who was appointed on the first day of 
the first term of court held in the county. May 3, 



L..fC. 



100 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



1819. Oliver H. Smith was appointed County Pros- 
ecutor in 1822, and took the oath of office at the 
March term of that year. In 1824 he was appointed 
Circuit Prosecutor by Gov. Hendricks, which position 
he held two years, resigning in 182(5, during which 
time, he remarks: " I rode with Judge Eggleston into 
every county and attended the courts twice a year. 
Our southern court at that time was held at Vevay, 
and our northern at Fort Wayne. The Judge was 
rather delicate, but I had an iron constitution. There 
were no bridges over the streams, but we rode good 
swimming horses and never faltered on account of 
high water, but plunged in and always found the 
opposite shore somehow. During the two years that 
I served as Prosecutor, there was not a single court 
held or a grand jury impaneled in my absence on 
our circuit. On one circuit I heard nine men sen- 
tenced to the penitentiary and four to be hung that I 
prosecuted." 

Mr. Smith's successor was Amos Lane, when 
served for a time Cyrus Finch and David Wallace, 
then from December 30, 1828, for a period of three 
years was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the 
Circuit Martin M. Ray. James Perry, William J. 
Brown (circuit), Samuel W. Parker, David Macy, 
Martin M. Ray, Samuel E. Perkins and Jehu T. 
Elliott served in the order given. 

FIKST AND LATER LAWYERS AT THE FAYETTE COURTS. 

At the opening of the court, May 3, 1819, the 
following-named attorneys were present and admitted 
to practice in the courts of Fayette County: William 
W. Wick, James Noble, John Test, William C. Drew, 
Daniel J. Caswell, James B. Ray, James Rariden, 
Nathaniel French, and John A. Daily. 

In 1820 were admitted Amos Lane, James Gii- 
more, Oliver H. Smith, Moses Fay, David Eaton, 
Cyrus Finch and George H. Dunn. In 1821, Ozias 
Hale and Moses Hitchcock. In 1822, Charles H. 
Veeder, Martin M. Ray, John T. McKinney, William 
Steele, Vincet Mitchell and Charles H. Test. In 
1823, W. R. Morris and David Wallace. 

The following list of names was published in the 
Times in 1879, under the head of attorneys admitted 
to the Fayette County bar from 1819 to 1854: 

1819 — James Rariden. 

1823— Charles H. Test. 

1825 — James Perry. 

1828— Caleb B. Smith, John S. Newman and 
William Daily. 

1831— Samuel W. Parker. 

1832 — John Ryman, George Holland. 

1884— Elisha Vance. 

1835— George B. Tingley. 

1837 — Pleasant A. Hackleman. 



1839 — James B. Sleeth, Solomon Malser and 
James A. Fay. 

1840— Moses Kelly, Louis C. Fonts and John S. 
Reid. 

1846 — George W. Woodbury, W. S. Burrows, 
and Benjamin F. Claypool. 

1847 —Nelson Trusler, John B. Stitt, J. B. Julian, 
William Wilson, Nimrod Johnson, G. W. Whitman, 
John A. Matson, John D. Howland, John H. Far- 
quhar, William M. McCarty, S. W. Hubbard, S. 
Ward, and D. W. Welty. 

1848 — Jesse Hubbart. 

1849— E. M. Vance. 

1850— James C. Mcintosh. 

1851— Gilbert Trusler. 

1852— Samuel Heron and A. W. Griffith. 

1853 — James R. McChire, Moses G. Marshall, 
Jonathan Shields, B. C. Stewart, M. J. Williams, 
James Conner, E. S. Hawley, and Henry Shambre. 

1854 — James H. Bonham. 

REFERENCE TO THE LAWYERS AND PRACTrCE OF EARLY 
INDIANA. 

Oliver H. Smith, in speaking of the lawyers of 
early Indiana, says: "Our lawyers were what the 
world calls self-made men, meaning men who have 
not had the advantages of rich fathers and early edu- 
cation, to whom the higher seminaries and colleges 
were sealed books; men gifted by nature with 
strong, vigorous, clear intellects, fine health, and 
sound constitutions; men, who like the newly- 
hatched swan, were directed by nature to their proper 
elements, their proper professions. Few of them 
failed of success. Necessity urged to action. With 
most of them it was 'root or die.' In ninety-nine 
cases out of every hundred of the failures in the dif- 
ferent professions and avocations in life, charged by 
the world to 'bad luck,' it is nothing more nor less 
than the selection of a profession, avocation or busi- 
ness that nature never intended you for. The smallest 
teal, or duck, that swims on the bosom of Chesa- 
peake Bay, would sink and drown in that element the 
best blooded and finest game-cock that ever old Vir- 
ginia produced in her most chivalric days; while in 
the cock-pit, the teal or duck would be nowhere in 
the fight. 

"Our counties furnished too little business for the 
resident attorneys; we all looked to a circuit prac- 
tice. Some rode the whole circuit and others over 
but few counties. We sometimes had a little spar- 
ring in our cases in trials, but it ended there, and we 
stood banded together like brothers. At the Rush 
Circuit Court my friend Judge Perry bargained for a 
pony for $25, to be delivered the next day, on a 
credit of six months. The man came with the pony. 



iw 



V*s^ 




'^. %: ^^^!^a^:4L^- 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



10 3 



but required security of the Judge for the $25. The 
Judge drew the note at the top of a sheet of foolscap, 
and signed it. I signed it; James Rariden signed it 
and passed it on, and on it went from lawyer to lawyer 
around the bar, till some twenty of us had signed it. 
I then handed it up to the Court, and the three Judges 
put their names to it. Judge Perry presented it to 
the man he had bought the pony of, but he promptly 
refused to receive it. 'Do you think I am a fool, to 
let you get the court and all the lawyers on your 
side? I see you intend to cheat me out of my pony.' 
Up he jumped and ran out of the court house on full 
gallop. 

" The great variety of trials and incidents on the 
circuit gave to the life of a traveling attorney an 
interest that we all relished exceedingly. There was 
none of the Green Bay City monotony, no dyspepsia, 
no gout, no ennui, rheumatism or neuralgia; con- 
sumption was a stranger among us. An occasional 
jump of the toothache, relieved by the turnkey of the 
first doctor we came to, was the worst. All was fun, 
good humor, fine jokes well received, good appetites 
and sound sleeping, cheerful landlords and good- 
natured landladies at the head oi the table. We 
rode first-class horses: Gen. Noble oq 'Wrangler,' for 
which he gave $60; Drew on 'Drew Gray,' cost 
$70; Caswell on 'Blue Dick,' cost $65; Rariden 
on 'Old Gray,' cost $80; John Test on 'Bay 
Filly,' cost $50; Gen. McKinney on 'McKinney 
Roan,' cost $45; David Wallace on 'Ball,' cost $40; 
Amos Lane on 'Big Sorrel,' cost $60; Judge Eggles- 
ton on Indian pony, cost $35; George H. Dunn on 
'Dancing Rabbit,' cost $40; James B. Ray on 'Red 
Jacket,' cost $60; Martin M. Ray on 'John,' cost 
$35; William R. Morris on 'Jacob,' cost $50; Charles 
H. Test on 'Archie,' cost $40; John S. Newman on 
'Clay Bank,' cost $60; and I rode 'Grey Fox,' that 
cost me $90. These were the highest priceg at that 
day for the very best traveling horses in the country. 
They were trained to the cross-pole mud roads, and 
to swimming. 

"Oar attorneys were ready, ofif-hand practitioners, 
seldom at fault for the occasion. Sometimes we had 
to meet attorneys from other States, who would 
fling the Latin and technical terms with a triumph- 
ant air, but in most cases they were foiled by the 
quick retorts of our bar." 

Below is set forth the character of some of the 
non-resident members of the early Whitewater bar, 
as held by Oliver H. Smith, some of whom sat upon 
the bench in this county, and others were at times 
associated in its legal business. (James B. Ray was 
for a short time a resident of Connersville, and 
served for a time as Deputy Clerk of the County.) 

"Gen. Noble was emphatically a self-made man ; 



quick, ready and always prepared. He served two 
full terms in the Senate; died a Senator, compar- 
atively a young man, and lies entombed in the Con- 
gressional Cemetery at Washington. 

"James B. Ray succeeded Gov. Hendricks, and 
was the youngest man who ever occupied the chair at 
the time of his election. He was a popular itump 
speaker; was never beaten before the people for Gov- 
ernor, at one time beating Judge Blackford, at 
another. Dr. Israel T. Canby and Habin H. Moore. 
He was a zealous lawyer, but entered the political 
field before his forensic powers were fully developed. 

"Gen. McKinney was a fair lawyer, and gave 
good satisfaction as a Judge, but died before he had 
reached the meridian of his life, or had been long 
enough on the bench to fully develop his judicial 
character. 

' 'Among the prominent men of the early White - 
water bar was Judge Charles H. Test. He was a 
young man of fine talents and great energy of charac- 
ter. At quite an early age he took a high position 
among the ablest of the profession. 

"James Rariden was one of the strong men of 
the State. He represented Wayne County many years 
in both branches of the General Assembly; was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850, and 
served two terms in Congress from his district. 

"William J. Brown held the high offices of mem 
ber of the Legislature, member of Congress and 
Assistant Postmaster-General. For many years be 
was one of the most formidable Democratic public 
speakers in the State. 

"John S. Newman was a fine practice lawyer with 
a head clear as a bell, a remarkably matured judg- 
ment at an early day in his profession. His strong 
vigorous intellect made him a safe counsellor and a 
valuable co-laborer in heavy cases." 

RESIDENT LAWYERS. 

Oliver H. Smith was admitted to the bar at Law- 
renceburg, this State, in March, 1820, aad in May of 
the same year settled in Connersville as a practitioner. 
At the time of his arrival there was but one lawyer in 
the village — William W. Wick. Mr. Wick was not 
long a resident practitioner, as he was soon elected a 
Judge of the "New Purchase," and from 1825 to 
1829 he filled the office of Secretary of State, and 
subsequently served as a Member of Congress. 
Charles Veeder, Ozias Hall, Cyrus Finch and Martin 
M. Ray were among the early resident members of 
the bar. 

Caleb B. Smith commenced the practice of law at 
Connersville in the fall of 1828; and Samuel W. 
Parker at Connersville in 1831. 

Samuel C. Sample began the study of law at Con- 



104 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



nersville with Oliver H. Smith in 1820. " Mr. Sam- 
ple was no ordinary man, plain, practical in all his 
acts. He represented his district in Congress with 
decided ability; was always at his post, among the 
working men of the body. At the bar and as Presid- 
ing Judge of the Circuit Courts he stood high among 
the most eflScient and able practitioners, and one of 
the purest Judges that has graced the bench." He 
died while serving as President of the State Bank at 
South Bend, Ind. 

James C. Mcintosh read law under Samuel W. 
Parker and was admitted to practice in 1851. 

The resident lawyers of the county at Conners- 
ville in 1832 were Oliver H. Smith, Caleb B. Smith, 
Samuel W. Parker and Samuel C. Sample. William 
Dail^' was at this time practicing law, and resided 
five and a half miles southwest of the village. 

For a period at this time and just prior thereto 
the following law firms existed: M. M. Ray, and C. 
B. Smith (in 1833 Ray was located at Centreville), 
James Rariden and S. W. Parker. The former's 
oflBee was at Centreville. 

From a published article in 1846 we give the 
names of the attorneys as therein set forth: Caleb B. 
Smith, S. W. Parker, Elisha Vance, James A. Fay, 
Joseph Justice, Lewis C. Fonts, William L. Spooner 
and William Daily. 

The resident attorneys of the county for 1858-59 
(as given in a State Directory) were B. F. Claypool, 
James C. Mcintosh, Joseph Marshall, Samuel W. 
Parker, John S. Reid, Gilbert Trusler, Nelson Trusler 
and Elisha Vance. 

Nelson Trusler was born in Franklin County, 



Ind., in 1823, read law with John A. Matson, in 
Brookville, and began the practice in Fayette County. 
In an obituary notice it is stated that " he soon took 
a leading position in the Whitewater Valley bar, at 
that time the ranking bar of the State, and meeting 
such men as Parker and Caleb B. Smith with credit." 
He was elected to the State Legislature in 1855. 
From September, 1862, to October, 1863, Mr. Trusler 
served as Colonel of the Eighty-fourth Regiment 
Indiana Volunteers: from 1865 to 1869 he served as 
Secretary of State. He was defeated for Attorney- 
General in 1870, and in 1872 succeeded Thomas M. 
Browne as United States District Attorney. On being 
elected Secretary of State he removed to Indianapo- 
lis, where his death occurred in 1880. 

Gilbert Trusler, a brother of Nelson, was a native 
of this county, born in 1830. His name first appeared 
as an attorney at the bar of Fayette County in 1851. 
He entered the army in 1861 as Captain of Company 
H, Thirty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and in 
June, 1863, was commissioned Major of the regiment. 
At the close of the war he was elected to the State 
Legislature. In his obituary notice it was stated 
that " he was a man of rare intellect, keen percep- 
tions and sound judgment." 

B. F. Claypool, the oldest and most distinguished 
member of the bar of the county, now engaged in 
active practice, read law in the office of the late Hon. 
Oliver H. Smith, in Indianapolis, being admitted in 
1847, and soon thereafter established himself in the 
practice at Connersville, his native city. His biog- 
raphy, with those of other living attorneys, is found 
elsewhere in this work. 



I 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 

CONTRIBUTED BY S. N. HAMILTON, M. D. 

THE FIRST PHYSICIANS— DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETIES— EARLY CHARGES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES— LATER PHY- 
SICIANS— FAYETTE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY AND THE PROFESSION. 



/~\WING to a variety of causes, we have found it a 
^-^ task of no small proportions to construct a his- 
tory of the medical profession and society of Fayette 
County, Ind., particularly that part relating to its 
first organization and incipient progress. Chief 
among these causes are the absence of authoritative 
data, the death or removal of the pioneers of the 
profession, and the imperfect state of organization 
in the practice among the settlements. We note, 
however, with a degree of professional pride, the 
comparative progress made by the plucky and per- 
sistent little handful of " regulars " who first came 



to this valley, to mold themselves into a society, with 
the two-fold purpose of mutual improvement and of 
securing the "code" against imposture, the latter 
instinct resembling that of their fellow settlers, 
inasmuch as their first measure was one of prudence 
and mutual self-protection, in order that that which 
was to follow — progress and achievement — might be 
insured against a double peril, that of foes without 
and apathy within. 

THE FIRST PHYSICIANS. 

Among the earliest physicians of whom we have 
any knowledge, who settled within the present limits 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



105 



of the county, were Drs. John Bradburn, James 
Thomas, Joseph Moffitt, Temple E. Gayle, and Joseph 
S. Burr. 

Dr. Bradburn was a native of Lancaster County 
Penn., and as early as 1814 settled within the present 
limits of Fayette County in the vicinity of what is 
now known as Harrisburg. Hon. Oliver H. Smith in 
his "Early Indiana" refers to him as "an eminent 
surgeon, a man of great muscular powers, and of the 
most indomitable personal courage." The Doctor's 
experience as a practitioner in this county was marred 
by a fearful tragedy in which he became instrumental 
in the death of two young men, in the spring of 1825, 
an account of which is given elsewhere in this work. 
Shortly after the tragedy, Dr. Bradburn removed 
from this county to the southern part of the State, 
subsequently to the vicinity of Brookville, where he 
died in the early part of the decade between 1830 
and 1840. He is said to have been a regular graduate 
and a man highly respected. At the time of the 
tragedy above referred to, he was about thirty years 
of age, "possessed," it is said, " of a stern counte- 
nance, an inflexible will, and great executive ability." 

Dr. Thomas was a native of New York State, and 
was one of the colony of immigrants that settled in 
the vicinity of Harrisburg, this county, in 1819, and 
formed what was designated as the "Yankee Settle- 
ment.'' He was a regular graduate, and for years en- 
joyed a successful and lucrative practice at Harrisburg. 

About the year 1820, Dr. Joseph Moffitt, a native 
of New Haven, Conn., and a well-trained student 
fresh from Yale College, settled in Connersville. He 
died in 1833. 

About this time, Dr. Burr and Dr. Gayle came to 
Connersville and began the practice of medicine. 
Concerning Dr. Burr's advent into the village, Hon. 
Oliver H. Smith says: " One morning I was introduced 
by my landlord to a small, black-eyed man wearing 
plain clothing and speaking the plain language of 
'thee and thou,' as 'Dr. Burr, from New Philadel- 
phia, Ohio, who was about to settle in Connersville as 
a root Doctor.' Some days after there was nailed to 
the weather-boarding of the hotel an enormous swamp- 
lily root almost as large as a man, with head, eyes, 
ears, nose and mouth nicely carved, arms and legs 
with feet stuck on. And just above the sign on a 
board marked with chalk: 'Joseph S. Burr, Root 
Doctor — -No Calomel.' The Doctor was subsequently 
engaged in the drug business, and for a long time 
enjoyed a rather extensive practice. One well 
acquainted with him over half a century ago, says: 
'He was a man of some medical knowledge which 
he used with moderate success in his practice, while 
to his patrons he utterly denounced all ' doctor 
laruin " and made it on the / root ' system. His chief 



ability consisted of cunning aided by a knowledge of 
human nature." v 

Dr. Gayle was a talented man but died young, his 
death occurring in October, 1827, at the age of thirty- 
two years, on which occasion the press said of him: 
" As a man of talent, the Doctor was excelled by few 
if any in the State; as a practicing physician he was 
eminently successful and popular." 

Dr. Philip Mason was a native of Adams, Berk- 
shire Co., Mass., born December 10, 1793. He 
settled in what is now Fayette County in 1816. He 
served as one of the Franklin County Commissioners 
when Fayette County was a part of that county. In 
1824 he finished his course of reading and clinical 
studies under Dr. Moffitt, of Connersville, and began 
the practice of medicine at his farm in Columbia 
Township, where he remained until the spring of 
1827, then removed to the village of Danville (now 
Fayettville), and there in connection with the now 
venerable Dr. Jefferson Helm, of Rushville, who had 
been one of his pupils, settled in the practice of his 
profession. On the death of Dr. Gayle, in the fol- 
lowing fall. Dr. Mason removed to Connersville. In 
1829 he was elected the first Probate Judge of Fayette 
County, and served as such until 1834. The year 
following he was elected to the Legislature and was 
twice re-elected to that body. He served as Master of 
Warren Lodo-e,F. & A. M., of Connersville, for thirteen 
years, and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the 
State for eight years. Dr. Mason was a brilliant and 
educated man, who is still quite well 'remembered in 
the profession as the author of an able, though some- 
what lengthy "Autobiography and Family History." 

Dr. Jefferson Helm, a son of Judge Helm, is a 
native of Mason County, Ky., born in 1803. He 
studied medicine with Drs. Moffitt and Mason; was 
licensed to practice in 1827, and that year located at 
Danville (now Fayetteville), in partnership with Dr. 
Mason. After several years he removed to Vienna 
(now Glenwood), Rush County, where he remained 
until about 1845. Later he removed to Rushville. 
In 1850 he was a delegate to the State Constitutional 
Convention, and two years later was elected to the 
State Senate. He still resides in Rushville, though 
not engaged in the practice of his profession. 

Dr. Hayman W. Clark was licensed to practice 
medicine at the same time with Dr. Helm in 1827. 

In 1828 Dr. Samuel Miller located in Connersville, 
having come from Dayton, Ohio. 

Another practitioner who advertised in the press 
of 1830, was Dr. Charles Barnes. 

DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETIES. 

An effort to establish medical societies in the 
State by legislative enactment was made at an early 



106 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



period. Section 1 of Act approved by Gov. Jennings 
December 24, 1816, reads: " Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of Indiana, that for 
the purpose of regulating the practice of physic and 
surgery in this State, each circuit as laid off for hold- 
ing Circuit Courts shall compose one medical district 
to be known as First, Second and Third Medical Dis- 
tricts in the State of Indiana, according to the name 
of the circuit." It was further provided in this act 
that in each district there should be a Board of Med- 
ical Censors, who were required to admit to mem- 
bership every physician or surgeon residing or wish- 
ing to practice in the district who should "on exam- 
ination before them, give proof of their qualification 
to practice either profession, and reasonable evidence 
of their moral character." 

An act approved January 18,1820, organized four 
medical districts, and gave the State Medical Society 
authority to establish as many additional as it might 
deem expedient. 

The State Medical Society was first organized in 
1820, and held its meetings at Corydon, then capital 
of the State, until 1826, when it met at Indianapolis. 

Agreeably to the statute law of the State passed in 
1825, and a resolution of the State Medical Society 
passed at their meeting subsequently, a number of 
the physicians of the Fifth District met in Conners- 
ville. May 7, 1827, for the purpose specified in the 
act and resolution referred to. James Thomas was 
called to the chair, and T. E. Gayle appointed Sec- 
retary pro tern. The society was formed and officers 
appointed as follows: James Thomas, President; 
William B. Laughlin, Seci'etary and Treasurer; 
Joseph Moffitt, H. G. Sexton and T. E. Gayle, Cen- 
sors. The first applicants examined for license who 
were found qualified to receive the same were Philip 
Mason, H. W. Clark and Jefferson Helm. 

EARLY CHA.ROE8 FOR MEDICAL SERVICES. 

The act of the Legislature of 1816, above re- 
ferred to, provided against overcharges: "It shall not 
be lawful for any physician or surgeon to charge or 
receive more than 12J cents per mile for every mile 
he shall travel in going to, and returning home from, 
the place of residence (for the time being) of his pa- 
tient, with an addition of lOO per cent for traveling 
in the night. 

The following is a list of charges recommended 
by the Indiana State Medical Society held at Cory- 
don December 11, 1822: 

Visit 25 cents to $1.00 

Mileage .25 

Venesection 25 " .50 

Pulv. Febr 6i " .12+ 

Emetics ' 12i " .25 

Attendance through the day $ 2.50 to 5.00 

'■ nigUt 5.00 



Obstetrics 5.00 

Extracting tooth .25 

Reducing luxation 5.00 to 10.00 

Amputation 20.00 to 50.00 

LATER PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. Ryland T. Brown is a native of Lewis County, 
Ky. His father came to Rush County, Ind. , in 1821, 
and for several years the son acted as guide to land- 
seekers. His knowledge of medicine and other sub- 
jects was principally acquired without the aid of a 
master, and but few men who have attained to equal 
eminence in the profession have qualified themselves 
for it under greater difficulties. To aid him in the 
study of anatomy, he is said to have constructed a 
skeleton out of the bones of an Indian that had been 
exhumed near his father's farm. He graduated from 
the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 
spring of 1829. In August, 1832, he located in Con- 
nersville, and for several years was a partner of Dr. 
Mason's. He] remained in Connersville until 1842. 
In 1854 Dr. R. T. Brown acted as State Geologist by 
the appointment of Gov. Wright, and in 1858 he was 
elected to the Chair of Natural Science in the N. W. 

C. University at Indianapolis, and has been for sev- 
eral years an honored resident of that city. He is 
known throughout the State as the author of "Brown's 
Physiology," a common school textbook of recog- 
nized merit. The Doctor has attained an honorable 
old age without the usual signs of mental decay. 

The] regular practicing physicians of Fayette 
County in 1832 were Drs. Joseph Moffitt, Samuel 
Miller, R. T. Brown, of Connersville, and Dr. Mason 
on his farm below Null's Mill, now Null Town. Dr. 

D. D. Hall, a Virginian, located in Connersville, 
where he continued to practice until his death, which 
occurred June 20, 1871. 

Among the early members of the Fifth District 
Medical Society, were men of merit and of high pro- 
fessional standing, and all labored to develop the 
truths of medical science, and all made an impress 
on their generation. 

Drs. William B. Laughlin, H. G. Sexton and John 
Arnold played an important part in the history of 
Rush County. The first- mentioned, we believe, was 
the first physician to locate in that county. He did 
much of the early surveying, laid out the county seat 
and suggested the name Rushville in honor of his 
noble preceptor, Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia. He was 
a classical scholar, and in 1828 established a classi- 
cal school in that village. 

In Fayette County can be recalled the names of 
Drs. P. Mason, S. Miller, R. T. Brown, D. D. Hall, 
J. Thomas, T. E. Gayle, J. Moffitt and J. Helm; in 
Union County, Drs. Everetts, Rose, Casterline and 
Cox; in Franklin County, Drs. Berry and Heymond. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



107 



After the Fifth District Medical Society had out- 
lived its usefulness, there was organized a society 
under a special charter from the Legislature, possess- 
ing power to examine and license candidates for the 
practice of medicine within the limits of the organi- 
zation. It was styled the Indiana Medical Institute, 
and embraced the counties included in the Fifth 
District Medical Society. This, however had but a 
brief existence. 

The physicians of Fayette County as given in a 
published statement in 1846 were: Drs. PhiKp 
Mason, Samuel Miller, D. D. Hall, John Arnold, E. 
A. Bacon, and S. W. Hughes, of Connersville; Green- 
bury Steele, Columbia Township; Alfred Ruby, 
Alquina; George Winchel, Columbia; U. B. Tingley, 
Harrisburg; Amos Chapman, Waterloo; Presley 
Libray, West Union (now Everton), and Ed Daniels, 
Fayetteville. 

Dr. George K. Chitwood was born in Gallia 
County, Ohio, May 10, 1805, and was licensed to 
practice medicine and surgery in 1830. He located 
as a physician in Franklin County, Ind., in 1831, and 
in 1835-36 he attended a course of lectures in the 
Ohio Medical College. He continued the practice in 
Franklin County until December, 1837, when he 
changed his location to Liberty, Union County. In 
1846 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine 
from the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleve- 
land, Ohio. In December, 1849, he moved to Con- 
nersville, Ind., where he soon enjoyed a lucrative 
practice, and where he has remained ever since. In 
October, 1859, Dr. Chitwood was elected by the 
Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati College of Medi- 
cine and Surgery to the chair of General Pathology 
and Physical Diagnosis, which position he filled for 
the session of 1859-60. He was then transferred to 
the chair of Obstetrics and the Diseases of Women 
and Children, where he remained for six consecutive 
sessions, at which time he resigned in consequence of 
domestic aiBictions. In 1868 he was tendered the 
same position, but declined it. He is now quite 
advanced in years, but enjoys an unusual immunity 
from the effects of age. 

Dr. John Arnold has for many years been located 
at Rusbville, where he has an extensive practice. 
He is a gentleman of considerable literary attain- 
ments, having written several highly interesting rem- 
iniscences of pioneer life in Rush County. 



FAYETTE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY AND THE PROFESSION. 

On the 24th of May, 1856, the physicians of Fay- 
ette County met and effected an organization, calling 
it the Whitewater Yalley Mfdical Society. In the 
temporary organization Dr. G. R. Chitwood presided 



and Dr. Samuel W. Vance acted as Secretary. Per- 
manent organization was forthwith effected by the 
election of the following officers: Dr. Amos Chap- 
man, of Alquina, President; W. W. Taylor, of Vienna 
(now Glen wood), Vice-President; S. W. Vance, Con- 
nersville, Recording Secretary; L. D. Sheets, Lib- 
erty, Corresponding Secretary; D. D. Hall, Conners- 
ville, Treasurer; Daniel Frembly, of Brownsville, 
George R. Chitwood and O. S. Ramsey, Censors. 
The following were charter members of this society: 
Drs. Samuel Miller, D. D. Hall, A. Chapman, P. S. 
Silvey (Everton), W. J. Pepper, D. Frembly, W. W. 
Taylor, S. W. Vance, H. W. Hazzard (Bentonville), 

A. H. Thompson (Everton), G. R. Chitwood, M. F. 
Miller (Everton), C. D. B. O'Ryan, V. H. Gregg, 
R. T. Gillum (Waterloo), U. B. Tingley (Harrisburg), 
and O. S. Ramsey. All the foregoing not located 
belonged in Connersville. About this time Dr.^W. 
J. Pepper finished his course of reading under Dr. G. 

B. Chitwood, and began practicing in Connersville, 
where he still resides. 

At the next yearly meeting, April 13, 1857, the 
record shows the following election of officers: D. D. 
Hall, President; P. S. Silvey, Vice-President; W. W. 
Taylor, Recording Secretary; G. R. Chitwood, Cor- 
responding Secretary; H. W. Hazzard, Treasurer, and 
Drs. Vance, Gregg and Pepper, Censors. 

On April 22, 1858, this society was dissolved by 
mutual consent of its officers and members, and on 
the 1st of May following, the physicians met at the 
court house and founded the Fayette County Medical 
Society with the following officers: U. B. Tingley, 
President; P. S. Silvey, Vice-President; S.W.Vance, 
Corresponding and Recording Secretary, and Drs. 
Gregg, Pepper and Chapman, Censors. The society 
retained its working organization until the breaking- 
out of the Civil war, in 1861, when its deliberations 
were quietly discontinued in the general suspense 
that followed the first clash of arms. 

In the meantime Dr. W. W. Taylor, who had lo- 
cated in Connersville some years before, died in 1859. 
He was widely known for his skill as a practitioner, 
eminent as a scholar, beloved as a neighbor and hon- 
ored as a citizen. 

Dr. V. H. Gregg entered the army as Surgeon in 
the First Brigade, First Division, Twenty-third Army 
Corps, and served in the Department of the Cumber- 
land, under Gen. Sherman, till the close of the war. 

Dr. Joshua Chitwood graduated in medicine in 
1858, and entered the army as Surgeon in the Seventh 
Indiana Cavalry, Department of the Cumberland. 

Dr. George W. Garver located in Connersville in 
1865, having served in the United States Navy as 
Assistant Surgeon on the Western Flotilla, Depart- 
ment of the Mississippi. 



108 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Dr. S. W. Hughs died in 1865, and was buried in 
the new cemetery. 

During the four years of national strife, no at- 
tempt was made to reorganize the Fayette County 
Medical Society, but after the establishment of peace, 
when the interrupted trades and professions began 
to wheel into the line of reconstruction and progress 
we find this organization keeping pace with the rest, 
and this time re-enforced by several recruits. 

In "1866 the Fayette County Medical Society re- 
organized with the following membership: Drs. D. 

D. Hall, W. J. Pepper, S. W. Vance, G. R. Chit- 
wood, Josh Chitwood, V. H. Gregg, U. B. Tingley, G. 
W. Garver, A. Koogler, J. G. Larimore, W. H. 
Smith and R. W. Sipe. The latter three represented 
respectively Waterloo, Fairview and Fayetteville. 
The new members were Drs. J. A. Smith, Lyons; J. 

E. Jones, now of Cincinnati; A. H. Philips, Water- 
loo; Max Scheller, Connersville; B. Reeves, Fair- 
view. 

Since the organization of 1866 the following phy- 
sicians have become members of the society: Drs. J. 
A. Zeigler, Brownsville; John E. Chitwood, Conners- 
ville; S. N. Hamilton, Everton; B. F. Day, Water- 
loo, all in the year 1877; and L. Alexander, now of 
Pendleton, in 1878. 

Meanwhile, the members of these local or county, 
societies being under the dispensation of 1866, were 
precluded from attending the State Medical Society, 
except as they were sent to that body as delegates 
from their respective counties. In 1878 the State 
Society decreed that all members in good standing in 
all subordinate societies be thenceforth entitled to dele- 
gate rights. This decree made all the county societies 
auxiliary to the State society. These " delegate 
rights," however, were not absolute, though they 
were not limited save in matters pertaining to legis- 
lation, this right vesting in appointees designated by 
the respective county societies. The Fayette County 
Medical Society did not immediately accept the pro- 
visions of this new dispensation, but in 1879 fell into 
line with the rest, and applied for admission into the 
State organization. Under this code all the ctjunty 
societies were required to draft new constitutions and 
by-laws, or so remodel their old ones as to make them 



consistent with the new order of things. The annual 
assessment per capita is $1. 

Pursuant to reorganization the Fayette County 
Medical Society elected the following oflScers: S. W. 
Vance, President; W. J. Pepper, Vice-President; 
Joshua Chitwood, Secretary; V. H. Gregg, Treasurer, 
all located in Connersville. For Censors, S. N. Ham- 
ilton, Everton; George R. Chitwood, Connersville, 
and G. A. Sigler, Brownsville, Union County. This 
left a rather meager constituency as to members, only 
three, namely. J. E. Chitwood, B. F. Day, J. A. 
Smith. Subsequently, the following members have 
been added: Charles Wyman, Lyon's Station, in 
1880; C. H. Von Klein, L. D. Dillman and D. M. 
La Moree, Connersville, in 1882; Garrett Pigman, O. 
P. Phares and F. A. Chitwood, Connersville, in 1884 
Dr. Sigler removed from Brownsville to Liberty, 
UnionCounty, in 1883. Dr. Hamilton located in Con- 
nersville in 1882, entering into partnership with Dr. 
Gregg. Dr. Von Klein removed to Hamilton, Ohio, 
in 1882, and thence to Dayton, where he still resides. 
The latter was Surgeon in the Rasso -Turkish war, 
after which he came to this country, locating first in 
Batesville, Ind., then in Brookville, then in Conners- 
ville, where he remained but a few months. He is a 
man of considei-able learning and wide experience, 
being the author of several medical works, and the 
possessor of a library consisting of 6,000 volumes, 
printed in French, German, Russian and English, all 
of which languages he speaks with fluency. 

Dr. La Moree located in Alquina in 1883, and 
shortly afterward left for Pennsylvania, Dr. Phares 
taking his place at Alquina. 

The following is the present membership of the 
society: Drs. G. R. Chitwood, Joshua Chitwood, 
John E. Chitwood, F. A Chitwood, V. H. Gregg, S. 
N. Hamilton, W. J. Pepper, R. W. Sipe, L. D. Dill- 
man, Charles Wyman, Garrett Pigman and O. P. 
Phares. Dr. S. W. Vance withdrew from the society 
in 1882. 

The following physicians of Connersville are not 
members of the society: Drs. Elias Webster, homoeo- 
pathic, located in Fayette County in 1864; A. D. Ter- 
rell, eclectic, in 1863; D. W. Butler, in 1876, the 
present Health Officer, and John Wall, in 1879. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



109 



CHAPTER XV. 



DISTINGUISHED DEAD. 
OLIVER H. SMITH— JONATHAN McCARTY— CALEB B. SMITH— SAMUEL W. PARKER— JAMES C. MoINTOSH. 



"Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climb 

The steep where fame's proud temple shines afar; 

Ah! who can tell how many a soul sublime 

Has felt the influence of malignant star, 

And waged with fortune an eternal war — 

Checked by the scoS of pride — by envy's frown, 

By poverty's unconquerable bar, 

In life's lone vale, remote, has pined alone, 

Then dropt into the grave unpitied and unknown! " 

IT is thought that a chapter devoted to the lives of 
deceased citizens, who were honored with high 
ofiScial positions, or reached eminence in their profes- 
sions, may with propriety be given in this part of the 
work. Sketches of the lives of other deceased citi- 
zens of equal worthiness, and perhaps prominence in 
their several fields, have been given in variotis other 
chapters throughout the work, as, for instance, New- 
ton Claypool, Daniel Han kins, George Frybarger, 
Joshua Harlan, and others among the early business 
men of Connersville; Abraham Van Vleet, Daniel 
Bench and others, of the press; Wilson Thompson, 
James Conwell and others, of the clergymen; Judge 
Eeid, the Truslers and others, of the legal profession; 
Drs. Gayle, Moffitt, Mason and others, of the medical 
profession; John Conner, Thomas Simpson, Judges 
Helm and Webb, Jonathan John and many others of 
the pioneers in general, etc., etc., etc. 

OLIVER H. SMITH. 

Oliver H. Smith was the only resident of Fayette 
County who reached the high position of United 
States Senator. His place of birth and early life can 
not be more beautifully and impressively related than 
in his own language: " My grandparents on both 
sides were fi'iends and associates of William Penn; 
crossed the Atlantic from England with him, and 
belonged to the same society. The steamer, as she 
runs up the Delaware (from Philadelphia) passes one 
of the most beautiful countries, on the Pennsylvania 
side, in the world, highly cultivated. On the Jersey 
side it is more wild and picturesque. On the Penn- 
sylvania side stands the beautiful city of Bristol. On 
the Jersey stand Burlington and Bordentown. Near 
the latter is seen in the deeply shaded grove the man- 
sion of the late ex-King, Joseph Bonaparte, as it rose 
from the ashes of his former splendid residence. The 
city of Trenton, the capital of New Jersey, stands 



prominent on the right. The more humble Morris - 
ville covers the left bank at the falls of the Delaware, 
where the permanent arch-bridge unites the two 
cities. 

" When but a mere youth, as I was approaching 
Morrisville in the dusk of the evening, I heard the 
cry of fire just as I reached the center of the town. I 
saw a man walking upon the top of a house, bucket 
in hand, without a hat, sprinkling water upon the 
roof. A gentleman in the crowd asked me if I knew 
who he was, and remarked, ' This is Gen. Moreau, of 
France. ' The General came down after a short time, 
and I had a full view of him. I looked upon the 
hero of Hohenlinden at the time with much interest. 
He was short and thick, dark complexion, black hair, 
eyes Jind whiskers, stern countenance. He afterward 
fell by a cannon shot at the battle of Dresden in 1813, 
while fighting with the allies against the French Army 
under the command of Napoleon. 

"At Trenton the tide ceases; the rocky shoals and 
rapid currents of the Delaware commence. The trav- 
eler leaves the steamer and takes the cars. Some 
twelve miles above the city of Trenton, the current of 
the river becomes still more rapid; the water dashes 
over Well's Falls; Smith's Island divides their chan- 
nel at the base. That island belonged to my grand- 
father, and descended to my father. Here I must 
stop and let the traveler pass on to look at the moun- 
tain scenery on the upper Delaware, as it winds its 
serpentine way north to the State of New York, where 
he finds his source. I have arrived at the place of 
my birth, on the 23d of October, in the year 1794. 
The beautiful Delaware, with its clear waters, rapid 
currents, floating rafts, tine shad and beautiful striped 
bass, stretches away in the distance from my father's 
farm, the Jersey hills rising one above another to the 
clouds on the east; on the west a beautiful ridge; on 
the north Bowman's Hill. Near the junction of the 
hills was found many years ago a few acres of level 
ground in the woods. The early settlers, my father 
among them, selected this spot for their schoolhouse. 
It was a most solitary location, only found by the 
schoolboys by their winding paths from their valley 
and mountain homes. The neighbors met, the ground 
was prepared, and the schoolhouse built 



no 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



"The building was 20x26 feet of undressed 
mountain rock, one low story, four windows of 8x10 
glass on each side, and two at each end, a continuous 
desk around the wall on three sides, with a corres- 
ponding bench for the scholars. When I first entered 
the schoolhouse, at the age of six years, in the year 
1800 — I distinctly remember the day — with my little 
dinner basket on my arm, the master was sitting at 
his desk on the right of the door, and a large bucket 
of water on the loft. Our playing grounds were 
cleared smooth from surface rock. Our path led us 
to the top of Bowman's Hill, where we had a splendid 
view of the Delaware and surrounding country for 
many miles. I have .often thought, in after years, 
that these views in my youth exercised a powerful 
influence over mv mind. The same feelings that 
prompted me in my early life to break over the 
bounds of my valley home, pushed me onto look over 
the towering Alleghany into the beautiful valley of 
the Mississippi. 

" The school-boys one evening roped a little intox- 
icated Irishman, who happened to be passing by. He 
got very angry and named the schoolhouse Lurgan, 
after a place of that name in Ireland, and from that 
day it went by no other name. I saw it when after 
an absence of twenty years in the West, I visited the 
home of my youth; I looked upon it with deep feel- 
ings, as my alma mater." 

The parents of the distinguished Senator were 
Thomas and Lsetitia Smith buried, the former at 
Wrightstown and the latter at Byberry. 

At Lurgan our subject received about all the 
regular education he ever obtained. What he 
acquired afterward was under his own tuition. 

In 1813, on the death of his father, he left home 
on foot with a few dollars in his pocket, to see the 
world. "I had seen very little of the world; thirty 
miles was the farthest I had ever been from home. I 
longed to see beyond the river hills of the Delaware." 
He went by way of Morristown to New York, and 
" gazed up and down the city with astonishment and 
delight." Thence he went up the Hudson, and on 
reaching West Point he says: " This spot was conse- 
crated to my youthful mind; here waved the Nation's 
flag. I asked the Captain to stop and let me see Fort 
Putnam. He at once consented and we landed. I now 
stood on Revolutionary ground, my heart beat quick 
and joyous; I ran up Mount Independence, where 
stood old Fort Putnam, venerable in its ruins, stern 
monument of a sterner age; it had survived the 
assaults of tyranny, and the attempts of treason. I 
stood at the rock from which the chain was stretched 
across the narrow channel of the river in the time of 
the Revolution, to prevent the passage of the British 
vessels. While I stood upon old Fort Putnam, and 



cast my eye far down the magestic river toward New 
York, the scenes of the Revolution, the treason of 
Arnold, the capture and execution of Andre, with a 
thousand associations, rushed upon me." 

He returned home again, but whether he remained 
any length of time we do not know, but presume he 
did not, as he was employed in a cotton or woolen 
mill for some time in Pennsylvania before coming 
West. In the spring of 1817 he came to Indiana and 
first settled at Rising Sun, where he remained until 
the winter of 1818, then removed to Lawrenceburg, 
where it is believed he read law with Gen. Dill and 
was admitted to the bar at the March term of the 
Dearborn County Court, receiving his license to 
practice from the hand of Judge Miles C. Eggleston, 
who examined him in person. Says the Senator: 
"His remarks made a deep impression upon me. My 
means were exhausted, and it was a question of life 
and death with me." The Judge kindly remarked: 
" Mr. Smith, I will sign your license, but you are 
only prepared to commence the study; but don't be 
discouraged, but persevere in your studies, and you 
may yet stand high in your profession." 

Young Smith directly after procuring his license re- 
moved to Versailles, in Ripley County, and there began 
his professional life. His first case was a trespass 
quare clausum f regit — "as his Blackstone told him." 
A neighbor had bored another's sugar-tree without 
asking. Smith represented the plaintiff and secured 
a verdict of 12J cents. His fee was $2.50. In the 
spring of 1820 Mr. Smith left Versailles, removing to 
C'jnnersville, where he made his first plange into the 
heady current of pioneer life. He had been in Con- 
nersville but eighteen months when he was induced 
to run for the Legislature, and in August, 1822, he 
was elected. He served during the session of 1822- 
23 and was the member by whom the name was given 
to Johnson County, which was named after Judge 
Johnson, of Indiana. Mr. Smith remarks, "It so hap- 
pened that it was the greenest Legislature ever con- 
vened in the State. The raw material was not so 
defective as the experience of the m;mbers. The 
session lasted six weeks and perhaps no Legislature 
ever met and adjourned in the State doing less harm." 

Our subject was made Chairman of the Committee 
on the Judiciary. Referring to his first effort in that 
body the Senator says, "All eyes were turned to me, 
as the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, suppos- 
ing, of course, that I knew all about it. The house 
was tilled with a distinguished audience from all 
parts of the State, and several from Kentucky. I 
arose. It was my first efibrt in a Legislative capac- 
ity, and much was expected by the audience. 'Mr. 
Speaker,' said I. These were my only words. I grew 
blind, and down I sank in my chair, almost uncon- 









n 




JlS^uZ^-^ 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



113 



scious, when Maj. Henry P. Thorton, who was our 
Clerk, a great wag, sprang from his desk, ran to where 
I was seated, and whispered in my ear, 'My dear sir, 
you must have studied your speech at home; you have 
made a powerful constitutional argument ' " 

In 1824 he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney of 
the Third Judicial Circuit by Gov. Hendricks, in which 
position he served two years, and distinguished him- 
self by the prosecution of some of the most noted 
cases in the criminal history of the State. The 
southern court was at Vevay and the northern at 
Fort Wayne, and during the two years he served as 
Prosecutor there wag not a single court held or a 
grand jury impaneled in his absence on the circuit. 
He became a candidate for Congress in 1826 and 
was elected by a majority of 1,500. His competi 
tor, the Hon. John Test, was one of the first 
men of the State; had been on the court bench, 
was a tine lawyer, a good speaker and had repre- 
sented the district three full terms. Mr. Smith 
served during the sessions of 1827 and 1828, contem- 
poraneous with such men as Tristriam Burgess, John 
Randolph, Samuel C. Southard, McDuff and others. 

It will be well to inform the reader that the first 
effort of Mr. Smith in Congress, though not flatteringly 
born, resulted in greater success than his first effort 
in the General Assembly of the State. A bill appor- 
tioning $100,000 to the work of constructing the 
Cumberland road was before the House. Philip P. 
Barbour, of Virginia, one of the strongest men in the 
House, had made a long constitutional argument to 
prove that the General Government had no power to 
make appropriations to construct the work. His 
speech was able and its effect upon the favorite meas- 
ure of the Indiana delegation was greatly feared. 
"My colleagues were not disposed to speak; I had 
not spoken. I felt much reluctance to speaking, but 
duty seemed to require it. I got the floor for the 
next day. The Committee arose, and the House ad- 
journed. I was in for my first speech in Congress. 
I passed a sleepless night. I concluded to back out. 
By daylight I was up walking the pavement before 
my boarding house, when the newsboy handed me the 
National Intelligencer, wet from the press. I opened 
the paper, glanced over the Congressional proceed- 
ings, looked under the editorial head, when, Oh ! 
horror of horrors ! there it was, 'The Hon. Oliver H. 
Smith will address the Committee to-day in reply to 
the Hon. Philip P. Barbour on constitutional powers.' 
Hero I was; there was no backing out without dis- 
grace. I could eat no breakfast. The hour arrived. 
The house was crowded. Mr. Barbour was seated 
before me. My friends were around me to give me 
courage. I grew more bold as I advanced, and never 
to this day did I feel when I closed a two hour's 



speech that I had done myself more justice. The 
bill was passed by a large majority." 

In the House Mr. Smith made no conspicuous 
mark, but earned and gained the reputation of a 
hard working, honest and sensible member. On the 
expiration of his term in the House he returned to 
the law, and continued in very active pursuit of his 
profession, till he was elected to the United States 
Senate in December, 1836, over Gov. Noble and Gov. 
Hendricks, his predecessors. He first entered the 
Senate during the executive session of March, 1837. 
He was made Chairman on the Committee on Public 
Lands in that body over R. I. Walker, then of Mis- 
sissippi. Here his habits of hard, constant labor 
shone conspicuously, no less unimpeachable integ- 
rity and sound judgment. "So thoroughly was his 
judgment trusted by his associates on the Committee, 
and his industry relied on to do all necessary work, 
that he became absolutely the whole Committee, and 
when a reference was made to it, it waa expected of 
course that Mr. Smith would see all about it. He 
was publicly complimented by Mr. Clay for his 
services to the country in that position. During his 
term as Senator, wo believe in 1838, he removed 
from Connersville to Indianapolis, where he after- 
ward resided, practicing his profession steadily and 
successfully, until his disease compelled him to 
abandon all labor." 

Mr. Smith, soon after the election of James B. 
Ray as Governor of the State, was offered a seat on 
the bench of the Supreme Court, "but having no 
judicial ambition, and not being willing to be laid 
on the bench at a salary of $700, I had the fortitude 
to resist the temptation." The Senator was the 
author of a work published in 1858, under the title 
of "Early Indiana Trials and Sketches." 

His death occurred in Indianapolis, March 19, 
1859, having been sick for nearly a year with a 
disease, the nature of which we believe was not 
clearly marked. The Indianapolis Journal of March 
21, 1859, said: "There is not a corner of the State 
in which the melancholy announcement of the death 
of Hon. Oliver H. Smith which we make this morn- 
ing, will not wake feelings of deep and sincere sor- 
row. * * * j£e died as he lived, a firm and sin- 
cere Christian. No man since the lamented Mar- 
shall's death was more widely known or highly 
esteemed. His eminent public career, his great ser- 
vices to the cause of internal improvement, and his 
unspotted private life gave him a place in the pub- 
lic regard, that few have filled more worthily." 

JONATHAN m'cARTY. 

Among the number of families who settled in the 
vicinity of Brookville in the early part of this cen- 

6 



114 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



tury, from which sprang men of considerable note, 
was that of the McCarty name. Benjamin McCarty, 
with family, emigrated from Grainger County, Tenn. , 
in about the year 1801 or 1802, and temporarily 
stopped on Dry Fork, in Ohio, and there awaited the 
preparation of the lands in what is now Franklin 
County, for market. He made the first entry in 
that county, and in 1804 removed thereto. He was 
made one of the first Judges of the county courts, 
under the Territorial Government. He is said to 
have been a man of herculean frame and of a strong 
mind. Enoch McCarty, a son, was a member of the 
first convention that formed the State constitution; of 
the Legislature repeatedly, and many years Clerk 
and Judge of the Franklin Circuit Court. Of him 
says Oliver H. Smith: "He was a cool, strong- 
minded man, of the very first standing in society, 
and contributed largely to the mass of mind that con- 
trolled early Indiana; cast all his influence on the 
side of morality and religion." 

Gen. Jonathan McCarty, the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Virginia on the 3d of August, 
1795. He was reared on his f ather' s f arm, which was 
in sight of the village of Brookville, and commanded a 
view of the rugged hills, beautiful and fertile valleys 
and rippling waters of the Whitewater, a country 
upon which had been poured out with a lavish hand 
of the beauties from nature's great store-house. 
Impressive and grand is the scene. Here in the lit- 
tle log school house, that graced the hill-side and 
valleys of the neighboring settlements, was educated 
Gen. McCarty. In viewing the vicinity, the writer 
was impressed more than ever with the words of Web- 
ster and other statesmen. The former, on being asked 
where his youth was passed, in substance replied, "I 
lived in sight of the ocean." Others, in response to 
interrogatories concerning what was raised among 
the rock-covered hills and cliffs of portions of New 
England said, "Men.'' As we stood below the village 
on an evening in June, at a point taking in in full 
the grandeur of the scene under an air laden with 
the perfume of the wild roses, sweet clover and elders 
abounding on all sides, musing over the past, we 
asked ourself, Did not the Tests, the Hannas, the 
McCartys, the Nobles, the Wallaces, the Rays, the 
Eads, with numerous others, gather inspiration from 
these towering and forest-clad hills? 

Jonathan McCarty for a time assisted his brother 
Enoch in performing the duties of the Clerk's office, 
and at intervals read law, being, we believe, both his 
own tutor and perceptor, and in the course of time 
was licensed to practice law. He early became a poli- 
tician, was elected to the Legislature of Franklin 
County and procured the passage of the law laying 
off the county of Fayette. He then removed to the 



new county, settling in the county town of Conners- 
ville. He was made the first Clerk of the Courts of 
the county and performed the duties of the several 
other county offices then devolving upon that officer. 
He served as Clerk of the Courts of the county until 
in 1828, and as such was the Recorder, Clerk to the 
Commissioners, etc. In 1829 he was appointed Re- 
ceiver of public moneys in the land office at Fort 
Wayne, and in 1830 removed his family from Con- 
nersville to that point. 

In 1828 Gen. McCarty made the race for Con- 
gress, being a candidate on the Democratic ticket, 
his opponent being Judge John Test, of Brookville, 
a National Republican. The conflict resulted in the 
election of Judge Test by a triumphant majority. 
In an address delivered by the General during the 
canvass he made these observations: "I have resided 
for more than twenty-five years in the territorial 
limits of what now forms this Congressional District; 
first in the county of Dearborn, then in Franklin, 
then in Fayette, my present residence. * * Hav- 
ing been reared and educated in the western country> 
accustomed to its policy and laws, I necessarily 
imbibed, at an early period, those Republican prin- 
ciples so repeatedly and practically illustrated in the 
Western States — and have always been proud of the 
name and title of a Republican.'' Referring to hie 
views as regards measures of national policy, he 
says, "Upon the subject of internal improvements 
and a fair and adequate protection of American in- 
dustry and manufactures, about which so much has 
been said, and which has called forth the ablest 
talents of the Nation on both sides of these questions, 
it seems to me that there can be little or no division 
of sentiment in the Western States. All agree in 
the propriety of these measures and but few doubt 
the constitutional power of the Government upon 
these subjects. Should I be called by the suffrages 
of my fellow-citizens of this district, to represent 
them in the councils of the Nation, I shall support 
the principles of internal improvements and the pro- 
tection of American manufactures and industry." 

In 1831 Gen. McCarty was elected to Congress 
from his district, defeating his former competitors. 
Judge Test, and Oliver H. Smith. The General was 
a supporter of the administration and the election 
terminated an unusually heated canvass. During the 
canvass Samuel W. Parker, who was then editing the 
Political Clarion, and who, it will be borne in mind, 
was opposed to the election of the General, thus 
alluded to him in that paper: "Gen. McCarty for 
four or five years had particular notoriety as a heated 
partisan of President Jackson. As a man he is pos- 
sessed of natural abilities which rate considerably 
above mediocrity, abilities which could not but have 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



115 



rendered him truly and justly consijicuous, had they 
been properly disciplined and directed. From village 
to national politics, he is shrewd, calculating, artful 
and indefatigable, and in his demeanors he is affable, 
courteous and interesting. * * * " 

Gen. MeCarty served his district in Congress 
from 1831 to 1837, and in 1848 or 1849 remove.! to 
Keokuk, Iowa, with the intention of there practicing 
his profession. He was twice married, the first time 
to Miss Desdemona Harrison, who died during their 
residence at Fort Wayne; and the second wife was 
Elizabeth Parsons. His death occurred at Keokuk, 
Iowa, where rest his remains, in about the year 
1852. 

Oliver H. Smith, in his "Reminiscences," remarks 
of him, "He was one of the most talenied men in the 
State. He was defective in education, but had great 
native powers; represented his district in Congress 
for several years with ability. As a stump speaker 
he was ardent and effective; his person was above 
the medium size; his head and face of line mould; 
his voice strong and clear, and his actions good." 

CALEB B. SMITH. 

This distinguished man was born in the city of 
Boston, Mass., April 16, 1808, and at about the age 
six years his parents removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
in which city he grew up and there gathered most of 
the associations of his boyhood. At the age of fif- 
teen he entered the Cincinnati College, where he, for 
a period, pursued his studies, then was sent to the 
more extended and celebrated institution of Miami 
University, at Oxford, Ohio. He entered the uni- 
versity in 1825 and remained until 1827. On leaving 
college he returned to Cincinnati, and there at once 
commenced reading law. In the fall of 1827 he 
removed to Connersville and there resumed the study 
of law under Oliver H. Smith, who thus alludes to 
the first introduction: 

"One day I was sitting in my office at Conners- 
ville, when there entered a small youth about five 
feet, eight inches high, large head, thin brown hair, 
light blue eyes, high, capacious forehead, and good 
features, and introduced himself as Caleb B. Smith, 
of Cincinnati. He stated his business in a lisping 
tone. He had come to read law with me if I would 
receive him. I assented to his wishes, and he re- 
miiiaed with me until he was admitted to practice, 
aud commenced his professional, as well as his polit- 
ical, career at Connersville. He rose rapidly at the 
bar, was remarkably fluent, rapid and eloquent before 
a jury, never at a loss for ideas or words to express 
them; if he had a fault as an advocate, it was that he 
suffered his nature to press forward his ideas for 
utterance faster than the minds of the jurors were 



prepared to receive thom. Still, he was very suc- 
cessful before the court and jury." 

He completed his law studies and began practice 
in the fall of 1828. Three years later, (1831) at the 
age of twenty-three, he made the race for Representa- 
tive from the county in the General Assembly, but 
was defeated. In June, 1832, he, in connection with 
Matthew R. Hull, established at Connersville a 
weekly newspaper styled the Indiana Sentinel, the 
first of its name. The paper was spirited and con- 
ducted with marked ability. It supported Henry 
Clay for President. In May, 1833, Mr. Smith with- 
drew from the paper and was that same year elected 
to the Legislature and re-elected in 1834. The great 
question of internal improvement was now agitating 
the minds of the country, and for the system young 
Smith took an active part; also for Gov. Noble, the 
champion of it In 1835 he was sent to Washington 
by the Governoj' to obtain from the War Depart- 
ment an order detailing Col. Stansbury and a corps of 
engineers to survey the routes of some or all of the 
great projected lines of canals and railroads which 
it was in contemplation to construct, and determine 
their practicability. On returning to Connersville 
he was again elected to the Legislature, and in the 
following December was elected Speaker of the 
House on the first ballot. 

That session the great Internal Improvement Bill 
was passed. 

In 1836 he was again chosen Speaker, making the 
second time he had been elected to this position 
before he had attained the early age of twenty-eight 
years. For several years he was one of the Fund 
Commissioners for Indiana. 

In 1840 he was again elected to the Legislature, 
it being the fifth time he had been so honored by his 
adopted county. He was made Chairman of the 
Committee on Canals, That same year he was one 
of the Presidential Electors on the Harrison ticket. 
In 1841 he ran for Congress, but was defeated. 
The Whigs running two candidates suffered defeat, 
Andrew Kennedy, their competitor, being elected. 
Two years later Mr. Smith was elected to Congress, 
and in 1845 was re elected, and again re-elected in 
1847. 

"In these three terms he made himself the fore- 
most man of the Indiana Delegation, and at the close 
was probably not only the most prominent man in 
national affairs from the State, but the most promi- 
nent man who had ever represented it." 

Oliver H. Smith in making fui-ther reference to 

the subject says: " He stood high in Congress as a 

: member and eloquent speaker. He was one of the 

most eloquent and powerful stump-speakers in the 

j United States, a warm and devoted Whig; was on the 



116 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



commission, after he left Congress, with Corwin and 
Payne, under the Mexican treaty. Few men in the 
West have filled a larger space in the public eye." 

In 1851 he removed to the city of Cincinnati, and 
was elected President of the Cincinnati & Chicago 
Eailroad Company. The project proved ruinous and 
Mr. Smith became deeply involved. In 1856 he be- 
came an elector for Ohio on the Fremont ticket. In 
1859 he severed his connection with the railroad and 
removed to Indianapolis, resuming the practice of his 
profession. He was made Chairman of the Indiana 
delegation at the Chicago Convention in 1860, and 
contributed greatly to the success of Abraham Lin- 
coln, seconding in his nomination with twenty sis 
votes from Indiana. He was an Elector for the State 
at Large on the Republican ticket. 

His vigorous campaign made for the martyred 
President was recognized in his being made Mr. Lin- 
coln's Secretary of the Interior. He resigned his pos- 
ition in the cabinet on Christmas Day, 1862, to accept 
the Judgeship of the United States Court for the Dis- 
trict of Indiana, January 1, 1863. 

"As a Judge he was courteous to a degree which dis- 
armed partisan bitterness at a period of unusual party 
exasperation, and his fairness was so evident that 
there coald be little more complaint of it than of his 
demeanor. It was chiefly as an orator and especially 
as a popular or 'stump' orator that Mr. Smith ex- 
celled. Here he had few rivals. His voice singular- 
ly clear, sonorous and penetrating, rarely encount- 
ered a crowd that could exhaust its power without 
obtaining the full freight of thought it carried. His 
language was copious and appropriate, often striking 
aud always clear, and his style though affecting little 
of the polished elegance of the pen, was rarely sloven- 
ly or feeble. He possessed the ability to argue a prop- 
osition convincingly." 

This citizen, orator, statesman and Judge of dis- 
tinction died in the court building at Indianapolis, 
Ind.,the 17th of January, 1804 The circumstances of 
his death as announced in the Indianapolis Journal 
of January 8, 1864, were as follows: 

"He left home in the morning with his son to at- 
tend court, which was in session, and appeared to be in 
his usual health, which, however, for some months 
past has not been very robust. On arriving at the 
court house he went into his private room to rest a 
few minutes before opening court, and while sitting 
before the tire was seized with a fit of coughing which 
in some unexplained way ruptured a blood vessel and 
caused a profuse and almost choking flow of blood. 
He was alone at the time, but in a few minutes Post- 
master Conner entered the room and discovering the 
condition of the Judge, notified those who could best 
assist in the matter and had him removed to the bed in 



the private office of District Attorney Hanna. Drs. 
Jameson and Wright were called in, and the utmost 
efforts of these experienced physicans were directed to 
the stopping of the flow of blood. They succeeded 
partially, but not till more than a gallon had been 
thrown up, and the patient fearfully if not fatally, re- 
duced in strength and vital energy. After the check- 
ing of the hemorrhage the Judge remained calm, and, 
it was hoped, in a condition which rendered recovery 
possible. But late in the afternoon a paroxysm of 
coughing seized him again and ,renewed the hemor- 
rhage, and attacking a system already reduced, speedi- 
ly rendered death inevitable. Some time before dark 
it was considered certain that he could not live 
through the night, and those unhappy fears were re- 
alized too soon, as his condition made it impossible 
to move him." 

At the death of Judge Smith it was|ordered by 
the President of the United States that the Executive 
Building at the seat of Government be draped in 
mourning for fourteen days, "in honor of him as a 
prudent and loyal counselor, and faithful and effec- 
tive coadjutor of the Administration in an hour of 
public difficulty and peril." 

The wife of Judge Smith was Elizabeth B. Wat- 
ton, of Connersville, Ind., to whom he was united in 
marriage July 8, 1831. 

SAMUEL W. PARKER. 

A walk of fifteen minutes- to the south of Con- 
nersville conveys one to the "Old Elm Farm," a 
beautiful and picturesque suburban or country seat — • 
long the home of men of distinction. Back of and 
above this homestead on the brow of a towering hill 
overshadowed by a cluster of evergreens and the more 
lofty forest trees which crown and fringe the sur- 
rounding ridge, is nestled the grave of Samuel W. 
Parker, to whose memory has been ascribed by a 
United States Senator, a place among the first law- 
yers of his time. 

Of the ancestors of Samuel W. Parker little defi- 
nite knowledge is known. His father, Samuel Par- 
ker, was a native of the State of Vermont. Said 
Samuel W. : "I have induced myself to believe that 
■my paternal ancestors were from England, more, 
however, from the name than anything else." The 
mother of Samuel W. was Elizabeth Miller, a native 
of Massachusetts, the ancestors of whom our subject 
believed to be of German extraction. At an early 
age both parents with their parents immigrated to 
New York, and were married in Jefferson County, 
October 20, 1803, in a town called Champion. They 
lived in Watertown until in August, 1805, on the 
2d day of which month the husband died and was 
there interred. He was a carpenter by trade, and a 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



117 



worthy young man. The subject of this sketch was 
his only child, and his birth occurred one month and 
seven days after the father's decease. 

"At the age of one year and six months," said 
our subject, "I was adopted by one of the most kind 
and affectionate step-fathers that ever orphan boy was 
blessed with." This was Joseph Wadley, who was 
born on the same day with Mr. Parker's own father, 
and he, too, was a carpenter by trade. He owned a 
farm on Stony Creek near Sacketts Harbor, where he 
had built a flouring-mill; and in this vicinity, at the 
age of about four years, in a little log schoolhouse, 
young Parker took his iniatory steps in schooling. 
From 1811 to 1815 Mr. Wadley and family resided 
in and about Bloomfield, in Ontario County, of the 
same State, during which period, and when not more 
than nine years of age, little Sam was often entrusted 
with a team of a wagon and two horses in the con- 
veyance of brick to the neighboring town of Canan- 
daigua, being assisted only in the loading of them. 

In 1815 the family immigrated to Cincinnati,Ohio, 
and there and in that vicinity remained until 1818, 
when they settled at Oiford, Ohio, during which pe- 
riod our subject at different times attended the 
Lancastran Seminary, superintended respectively by 
Harrison and Cathcart, during a portion of which 
attendance the school numbered from 200 to 500 pu- 
pils, over whom young Parker acted as general mon- 
itor. 

It seems that Mr. Wadley was very anxious to give 
his children a good education, and especially the step- 
son, often remarking to him that he never expected 
to be able to give him anything else, and at all events 
that would be the best fortune that could be given 
him. So it was mainly this object that directed him 
to Oxford, from the prospect of an excellent insti- 
tution of learning there. At this village young Par- 
ker first attended a common school about one year, 
in which reading, spelling and history alone were 
studied. He subsequently attended a grammar school 
then just opened by the Rev. James Hughes, under 
the charge of the Trustees of the University — the 
first germ of the future college. Here he began the 
study of the languages — Latin and Greek — and here 
were made his first efforts at declamation; and on the 
latter he remarks : ' 'I succeeded well, was fond of the 
exercise, and soon ranked among the best declaimers 
in the institution. At several public exhibitions the 
laurels wej-e won by me; and many a vision of glory 
did these laurels excite in my young imagination. 
"Here, too, my fir.st attempts at composition were 
made. In this I did not succeed so well. It was a 
tame exercise when contrasted with spouting forth 
the eloquent thoughts of the Roman, English and 
American orators. In this branch, however, I stood 



about equal to my fellows. But little attention was 
then directed to composition; declamation swallowed 
up all, and when the Trustees of the institution, on a 
public examination and exhibition day, pronounced 
me the best declaimer in the institution, I deemed 
myself a man of full proportions, though it seems 
that, in reality, I was but a stripling of but fifteen 
years." 

After Mr. Wadley's arrival in this city on immigrat- 
ing thither, he was soon engaged in bridge-building 
and other carpenter work, and during a part of his 
stay in the vicinity, he was engaged at Mt. Pleasant 
in building flat-boats, termed "Broad Horns," and 
while in and about the city, fishing and swimming 
seemed to be a favorite sport of the young step-son, 
as he speaks of frequently amusing himself with other 
lads in swimming and bathing in the river, and div- 
ing from and under the boats, etc., etc., and later on 
at Oxford, ball was a pleasant pastime to him. 

The late summer and early fall of 1821 have been 
pronounced by him as the halcyon days of his life. 
Nearly three months of his time were passed on a visit 
to an uncle who resided near North Bend, on the 
Ohio. His uncle kept a large dairy, and the visitor 
assisted in attending to the cows, milking, making 
butter and cheese, and going to the Cincinnati market 
and sporting through the neighboring country. The 
following incident occurring on this visit from its 
connection with so distinguished a man is worthy of 
note, and is given in the language of the participant 
himself in after years: 

" Whilst at North Bend, on one fine summer day 
several of the neighbor boys and myself went down 
to the river at Gen. Harrison's farm to swim. Whilst 
there we noticed the tempting looks of the fruit in 
the General's orchard — and the temptation was too 
strong to withstand. Accordingly we entered the en- 
closure and commenced our assaults upon it. Having 
pretty well filled our pockets, we commenced a retreat, 
and, as we were getting back over the fence, we 
espied the old hero himself, leaping his garden fence, 
bounce into the orchard and make toward us. Though 
some three hundred yards distant, his manner very 
plainly indicated that he had some designs upon those 
who had just gratified their designs upon his fruit. 
We accordingly made a hasty retreat to the river, 
jumped into a canoe lying at the shore, and had but 
cleverly got our canoe out of his reach when "Old 
Tip " was at the water's edge. He assumed a most 
furious attitude; his eyes seemed to flash javelins into 
our bosoms, and his curses were withering. He bade 
us instantly back to the shore or he would have the 
Constable after us — and whole troop of young thieves 
in jail before sun down. To disobey was impossible, 
and our pockets were full of what must be our con- 



118 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



demnatioQ. We accordingly commenced plying the 
paddle for the shore, and in the meantime also busied 
ourselves in stealthily slipping overboard all the fruit 
that could not be easily concealed. We landed, and 
I stepped forward as spokesman. I observed that we 
had come down to the river to swim. We saw the 
haw tree just inside the orchard fence, and think- 
ing it no harm to take a few hawa from it, we accord- 
ingly got over and did so, — and suiting _the action to 
the word I pulled from my breeches pocket a few 
haws that happened to be there, and displayed them 
as proof of our innocence. A most benignant smile 
came over the old soldier's swarthy features. 'Ah,' 
said he, boys, if that is all the mischief you have 
done, come up here with me and get some of my apples. 
I have some very fine ones yet, if the boatmen have 
not stolen them all off. Any body is welcome to my 
fruit so long as it lasts, if they will only come and 
ask me for it — but d — n a thief. I hate them.' And 
this was my first interview with that patriot soldier, 
and honest man, who, when he died, the Nation 
mourned in tears — because the ' good President ' had 
fallenl He then as little thought of being President 
as I did of the after service of two years and a half 
at the head of a newspaper, advocating his preten- 
sions." 

Up until the fall of 1824, when Miami University 
was regularly opened, young Sam attended for a time 
the grammar school heretofore mentioned as started 
by Mr. Hughes, which had been discontinued on 
the death of that gentleman, but which was re- 
opened by Eev. Spencer Clark, and a common 
school in the village taught by Abner Philbrick. 
During the spring, summer, and fall of this last 
mentioned year he worked on a farm rented by his 
step-father in the vicinity of Oxford, which was the 
only regular year's manual labor that he ever per- 
formed. 

In January, 1825, he entered the institution as a 
free scholar, under provisions that had been made for 
five young men of merit.' The limited circumstances 
of this step-father compelled him to take advantage 
of such provisions, and enter thus or not at all. On 
this point Mr. Parker says, " It was rather humiliat- 
ing to my proud spirit, but the goodness of the cause 
and a firm determination to rise above it, reconciled 
my feelings to the sacrifice." 

His four years' course in Miami University, from 
the beginning to the day of graduation, was a suc- 
cession of brilliant intellectual triumphs; term after 
term and year after year he was the recipient of 
compliments and high honors at the hands of his class- 
mates and of the Faculty. He entered the university 
as a freshman, and at the close of the first session 
was selected, with one other class-mate, to deliver an 



original oration; theme. Patriotism and some of 
the events of the American Revolution. From the 
beginning he attracted attention as a speaker, and 
continued to occupy a position in this respect second 
to none connected with the institution. Before the 
close of the year, in addition to his studies he took 
charge of a class in the grammar school, in part, and 
in this way got ofi" of the charity list. At the close 
of the second session he was selected to deliver the 
oration introductory to the exhibition. 

In December, 1825, was organized the Union 
Literary Society of the Miami University, of which 
he was one of the founders, and over which he sub- 
sequently presided. After the organization of this 
society, young Parker from the first took a stand as 
an extemporaneous debater and declaimer amongst 
the most prominent members, which station he 
retained until his graduation. Says Parker: "The 
most formidable antagonist I ever met in debate in 
the society, was Robert C. Schenck, of Ohio, and so 
the strongest will say who encounter him." Dur- 
ing his remaining years in the institution he was 
closely identified with the interests of this society, 
and was on several occasions highly complimented 
in the bestowal of honors by it upon him in public 
exercises, among which was his unanimous election 
to prepare a report upon the Rise, Progress and 
Present Condition and Future Prospects of the Soci- 
ety, and deliver an address on the occasion, which 
he accepted and performed in a manner that was 
highly gratifying to the society and to the public. 

In 1828 the Faculty and students of the university 
formed themselves into a society auxiliary to the 
American Colonization Society, in Washington, 
D., C, and Parker was by them appointed to deliver 
a public address on the 4:th of July, 1828, on the 
colonization system, held in the college chapel in 
conjunction with a celebration of the citizens of 
Oxford. The orator was James Crawford. Mr. 
Parker spoke for nearly an hour, and the speech won 
him much applause. Many of the auditors expressed 
a desire to have the address published in pamphlet 
form. At the dinner table a complimentary toast 
was drank to the "orators of the day." 

Commencement Day came, and with it found 
the already distinguished young Parker facing a 
great concourse of people, among whom were per- 
sonages of culture and distinction, with a theme for 
graduation of "Symmes' Theory of Concentric 
Spheres." As a speaker on this occasion, Parker was 
unanimously voted the chief; said Dr. Slack, then 
the distinguished chemical professor in the Cincin- 
nati College, commenting on the speech that he "did 
not think Capt. Symmes himself could have pre- 
sented his theory in a manner more happy and im- 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



119 



pressive." Says the speaker, "This effort was of no 
little service to me. It gave me a celebrity through 
the country which college efforts seldom acquire, and 
it was the means of introducing me to several gen- 
tlemen of intelligence and reputation." To the dis- 
satisfaction of many of the students and some of the 
Faculty in the assignment of class honors, Parker was 
given the third place. His fi'iends claimed for him 
the second if not the first honors. The second place 
was given to the son of Dr. Bishop, the President of 
the University. On the evening of September 24, 
1828, a commencement ball was given at Apple's Inn, 
in Oxford, of which young Parker was manager, and 
says he: "It was the first ball I had ever attended, and 
I believe I may say the first social party of any kind, 
though then twenty-three years old. I had been a 
student the most of my days, and a close one too; I 
did not lose a half dozen recitations during the whole 
four years of my college course." Mr. Parker acted 
as a tutor during the greater portion of his time in 
college. 

Until his graduation the most of his days were 
passed in school, yet when out of school and during 
mornings and evenings and vacations he was accus- 
tomed to do, and did do, almost all kinds of manual 
labor; this the circumstances of the family required, 
and it was most cheerfully complied with, in a just 
appreciation of the assistance and love borne him by 
his step-father. "In fact," said our subject, "I have 
done a little of everything, almost, in my time, for 
the sake of being handy in aid of my step-father." 
To further show the great esteem and appreciation 
held by him for this father, we quote his own words: 
"The kind attention and essential services always 
rendered me by my most excellent step-father never 
recur to my mind without filling my bosom with sen- 
sations of gratitude almost painful. Would to 
heaven that good old man could have lived that I 
might return to him some of the ten thousand kind- 
nesses in the evening of his days that he bestowed 
upon me in the morning of mine." 

Soon after the graduation of Mr. Parker he set- 
tled in the village of Connersville, and in November 
opened a private or subscription school, which he 
taught several terms, and in the following May secured 
the Principalship of the county seminary, then just 
being completed, and in July opened the first school 
in that building. He was here engaged in teaching 
until the close of a term of school in April, 1830, 
when he resigned the position. 

Early in the year 1829 he began writing edito- 
rially for the Fayette Observer, the proprietor and 
senior editor of which was Daniel Rench, and soon 
thereafter the editorial charge of the paper was given 
him, and in February, 1830, Mr. Parker became in 



a manner the proprietor. New type, etc., was pro- 
cured, and Mr. Parker sent forth to the country the 
first issue of the newspaper titled the Political Clar- 
ion, ]\Iay 22, 1830, which was continued two years 
and edited with marked ability, such as called forth 
a complimentary letter from Henry Clay, whom he 
vigorously supported for the chief magistracy. The 
young editor was honored by calls from the Governor, 
Senator Noble, and Judge Test, then Representative 
in Congress from the Connersville District, and his 
importance seemed great. We extract the following 
from an editorial in the Clarion of April 30, 1831: 

"In this village we first commenced in the bus- 
iness of the world. We have formed friendly associa- 
tions here, which we wish not to sunder. Here we first 
looked out over the land for ourselves, and beheld 
wicked men treading down the virtuous, corruption 
vitiating the undefiled, creeping into the councils 
and Cabinet of the Republic, and threatening a gen- 
eral deluge — the precedents, the laws, and the consti- 
tution which came to us from hallowed bands spurned 
and violated — anarchy and confusion smothering the 
voice of honest men and justice — all the vile princi- 
ples of our nature kindling into a blaze, catching 
upon the vitals of our Government and freedom, and 
blown upon us as it were by the breath of the hurri- 
cane. Hence we believe sprang at least some of the 
incentives that induced us to stay here, to enlist under 
the banner that we have here, and however faint and 
unavailing the efforts might be, to prepare for a strug- 
gle in the conflict here, until we fail or it be over. 
None of oiur ardor is or will be abated. Our course 
is on, right on, until our Republican institutions, the 
American system and Henry Clay are overwhelmed, 
or rise and triumph together on the 4th of March, 
1833." 

From the very beginning Mr. Parker had deter- 
mined upon adopting the law as his profession, and 
with this view on opening his first school in Conners- 
ville he put in odd hours reading Blackstone in the 
ofiice of Oliver H. Smith, but it was soon thought by 
the patrons of his school and others, that he could 
not do the two things at the same time, and the law 
was soon temporarily dropped, and not again taken 
up until during the latter half of the first year he 
was publishing the Clarion. He studied in all about 
six months, and we may say without any instruction, 
he was admitted to the bar in August, 1831, having 
been first examined at Brookville, by Judge Miles C. 
Eggleston, August 6, and his license signed, and the 
examination completed August 22, before a commit- 
tee of lawyers at the Wayne Circuit Court, which 
committee reported favorably, and the license was 
perfected by the signature of Judge Test. The day 
following he made his maiden speech to a jury in 



120 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



assisting James Perry, the Prosecutor, in the prose- 
cution of a defendant charged with refusing to aid a 
Constable to execute proceedings. 

In 1834 Mr. Parker established the Watclmian, a 
weekly paper, which he continued until after the 
close of the Presidential election in 1836, advocating 
with great zeal the election to the Presidency of Will- 
iam Henry Harrison. In 1833 he made the race for 
Representative in the Legislature from the county of 
Fayette, but was defeated; however, seven years later 
he was elected to that position. The following year 
he was elected to the State Senate and served one 
term, when he was again chosen a Representative in 
the Legislature. 

In 1836 he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney 
for the circuit, and during his service in that capac- 
ity, remarked the Rev. James Havens at his funeral, 
" he did more for the morality in this part of the 
State in ferreting out and suppressing vice and crime 
than any man then living." He traversed the State in 
in 1840, 1844, 1848, 1852 and 1856, and was champion 
Whig of the Whitewater Valley. Says Gen. Thomas 
Bennett: "He was a zealous partisan of unwavering 
fidelity, never flinching from any responsibility im- 
posed upon him by the party of his choice. He took 
the great Clay for his model, and with a devotion 
amounting to almost idolatry, he followed his chosen 
chieftain while he lived, and when he died he lin- 
gered long at the grave of the gallant old Whig." 

In 1849 Mr. Parker was elected to Congress and 
served two terms as the Whig Representative of his 
district, his Congressional career closing with the 
Thirty-third Congress in March, 1855. He could 
have triumphantly returned to the seat he had so ably 
filled, but he declined a renomiuation. He voted 
against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and 
on the subject made a most masterly and brilliant 
speech which won him high compliments. The House 
being in the Committee on the Whole on the State of 
the Union, Mr. Parker said: 

"I would address myself gladly on this occasion 
if I could, to all my fellow citizens of the South, to 
all of the North. I am of neither the North nor 
South; but still I am from a free State — one baptized 
as such and sanctified, I hope, by the glorious ordi- 
nance of 1787, in which I think I have cause for exul- 
tation — I am sure I have still greater cause in the 
fact that I come here from the great Northwest. 

Mr. Chairman, I have sometimes contemplated 
that marble group, at once beautiful and sublime, 
which rests upon one of the projections of the eastern 
portico of this Capitol, and thought I saw a patriotic 
embodiment there, which probably did not occur to 
the fervid fancy of the artist. That stalwart pioneer 
with gigantic proportions, a brave heart, strong hands 



and the bearing of a hero, is no inapt representation 
of that section of this confederacy from whence I 
come. See how he holds in his mighty grasp, harm- 
less as an unweaned child, those two savage arms, 
one pointing South and the other North, each armed 
with the implements of death. The fond mother as 
she bends over her sleeping child, fears no evil; and 
so securely are they protected, that the watch-dog 
looks kindly on ! * * * * * * 

" I desire no concealment of my opinion in regard 
to the institution of slavery. I look upon it as a 
great evil, and deeply lament that we have derived it 
from the parental Government, and from our ances- 
tors. But here they are, and the question is, how 
can they be best dealt with ? If a state of nature ex- 
isted and we were about to lay the foundation of so- 
ciety no man would be more strongly opposed than I 
should to incorporate the institution of slavery among 
the elements. 

" Sir, that is precisely the work on which we are 
now engaged. Where a 'state of nature' now exists; 
on a virgin soil, where a slave never trod though sav- 
ages have roamed there from the ' primal morn,' we 
are 'about to lay the foundation of society' for the 
millions of civilized and Christian people that will 
soon congregate there for a home forever for them- 
selves and their children. W^hat ought we to do ? 

* * * * * * * ^it" 

Mr. Parker had been several times an elector from 
his district and once for the State at large; and says 
Gen. Bennett, " He contributed to the success of his 
party his means, his talents and his mighty energies. 
He shone brightly as a lawyer and statesman. In the 
beginning he took an eminent pose as a lawyer and 
was ranked high amongst the Whitewater bar, com- 
posed as it was of the brightest legal minds of the 
State. His thrilling eloquence, his bitter sarcasm, 
his quick retort, his shrewd ingenuity in the manage- 
ment of his cause soon filled his office with clients 
and rallied around him troops of friends. From that 
time he was a giant at the bar." 

After the close of Mr. Parker's Congressional ca- 
reer he was engaged in the practice of the law at 
Connersville and the neighboring courts, and resided 
on the Old Elm Farm, heretofore referred to, where 
his death occurred from pneumonia, suddenly and 
unexpectedly, February 1, 1859. At this time he was 
President of the Junction Railroad Company, and had 
previously for years been President of the White- 
water Canal Company, and had ever been intimately 
identified with all the great improvements which 
have rendered the Whitewater Valley the garden spot 
of Indiana. 

On the presentation of the resolutions by the 
members of the bar in honor of the memory of Hon. 





^ cAl. ayyri^ JVc(^Jiy 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



123 



Samuel W. Parker to the Supreme Court of Indiana, 
Judge Perkins in behalf of the court said: 

"With deep sensibility does the court receive 
these testimonials of respect to the memory of the 
late Hon. Samuel W. Parker. Near did he stand to 
its members, near in age, near in professional associ- 
ation, near in social companionship. Valued was the 
relation. INIr. Parker was one of the most brilliant 
and promising men of the State. Gifted with a mind 
of high order, which he had stored with solid learn- 
ing, and decorated with the elegancies of ancient and 
modern literature — possessed of tine oratorical powers 
and every virtue that graces social life, combined with 
habits of great industry, it could not be otherwise 
that he should reach commanding positions at the 
bar and in the councils of the Nation. The death of 
such a man, at whatsoever time it may happen, can- 
not but be sorely felt, but it tills us with a deeper 
sadness when we behold him stricken down in the 
prima of manhood and in the middle of his career 
and fame. * * * * * " 

In substance the Hon. Oliver H. Smith remarked 
of Mr. Parker, that he was a ripe scholar, and when 
he first saw him at Gonnersville, he was a slim, 
flaxen-headed stripling, light eyes and brows, large 
white forehead, good features, head erect, the step 
quick and firm. He rose rapidly at the bar until he 
stood among the first of his age. He was clear, 
strong, able before the jury; his voice was of great 
volume, when he brought it up to its full pitch. He 
always threw himself bodily into the cause of his 
client, making it his own. On the stump, as a pub- 
lic speaker, he stood high with his party; few men, 
of his age, have made so many public political 
speeches, of so much power. While in Congress he 
took part in many of the important debates, in which 
he placed himself among the best of the speakers of 
the house. 

On the 16th of July, 1834, Mr. Parker was united 
in marriage with Susannah, daughter of William 
Watton, of Connersville, Ind., who still survives him. 

JAMES C. m'iNTOSH. 

James Cottingham Mcintosh was born in Con- 
nersville, Ind., January 13, 1827, of parents, Joshua 
and Nancy Mcintosh, the former being a native of 
the State of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. In 
the spring of 1824 the family settled in Connersville. 
The mother was a devoted Christian ".woman, and the 
father for many years an acceptable local preacher in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The latter served 
as one of the Associate Judges of the county in 
1847-51. James from boyhood was carefully and 
prayerfully instructed in the tests and principles of 
Christianity. He early indicated strong religious 



tendencies and in January, 1844, under the ministry 
of W. W. Hibben, he united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. His early youth was character- 
ized by close habits of study, which continued through 
life. His close application to study seemed to be 
prompted by two elevated motives, first an ardent thir!;t 
for knowledge, and secondly, a deeply conscientious 
estimate of the value and responsibility of time. His 
early education was obtained in the schools of his 
native village. In the fall of 1846 he entered Asbury 
University, at Greencastle, Ind., from which institu- 
tion he was graduated in 1849, completing the col- 
lege curriculum in three years, and that brilliantly, as 
he carried off the honors of a very strong class. 

For a time after graduation he took charge of a 
school in Lagrange, Ind. , which was only preparatory 
to the study of law, which he commenced in 1850, 
with Hon. S W. Parker, of Connersville. Here the 
same zeal and devotion to his books characterized him, 
as had previously marked his course in the school 
room and at college. In 1851 he was admitted to the 
bar. Judge Elliott being the Presiding Judge, and his 
own father occupying a seat on the bench as one of 
the Associate Judges. He was subsequently admitted 
to practice in the Supreme Court of the State. 

" From this beginning he worked his way upward 
in his profession until he made a reputation as a 
lawyer surpassed by a very few. And be it noted that 
the public prominence he attained was as a lawyer — 
politics had nothing to do with it. He never asked 
for office, in fact, he refused to allow his name to be 
used in that connection, and while many of his asso- 
ciates in the State have left their names to be tossed 
about on the billows of politics, he quietly toiled on 
in his profession, leaving a work that will last as long 
as jurisprudence has a place in the State he loved.'' 

His biographer says: "His devotion to his legal 
studies and duties, however, had no effect in dimin- 
ishing his religious interest, nor did it then, or ever, 
interfere in the slightest degree with his faithful per- 
formance of his church duties Always calm and 
dignified, never demonstrative, his entire Christian 
life was a steady, persistent elevated plea for the 
truth of Christian doctrines, the purity and grandeur 
of Christian principles, and the beauty and elevation 
of Christian character. He did not flash with the 
fitful and momeatary glare of the brilliant meteor, 
but glowed with the steady light of the planet that 
keeps the track of its orbit. 

"Naturally, he was not self assertive, but exceed- 
ingly reserved, unobtrusive, and even diffident; noth- 
ing but his own sense of duty and the force of his 
own personal merits ever brought him to the front. 
His will force was a dominant power, and his pur- 
pose was an uncompromising fact. Deliberate and 



124 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



careful in making up his judgment, the conclusion 
once reached was generally a finality, from which 
there was no appeal; while the turning aside from 
deliberately formed purpose was a thought not to be 
entertained. He was a man of thorough and pains- 
taking research, and remarkable for the accuracy of 
his knowledge. From his legal associates I learn 
that this was characteristic of his law practice, and I 
know it to have been true of his Biblical studies and 
knowledge. It was seldom safe to question a position 
taken by him. He was a man of profound sensibili- 
ties and tender affections." 

From the time that he became identified with the 
church until his death, he was by example and coun- 
sel a pillar in the church. He was a prominent del- 
egate to the General Conference in Brooklyn, N. Y., 
in 1872, and for many years prior to his death he was 
one of the Trustees of the university, of which he was 
an honored alumnus. 

In an editorial of one of the county papers at the 
time of his death we read: " At the bar he had no 
superior. He was acknowledged by all the most 
able." During his obsequies his native city and the 
surrounding country laid aside its labors, and with 
one accord tendered the tribute of respect due to his 
memory. The city closed its business houses. In 
offering the resolutions of the bar on his death the 
Hon. B. F. Claypool, the oldest practitioner of that 
body said: "It has been my fortune to have known 
our departed brother from his infancy, and for more 
than fifty years we have traveled the journey of life 
side by side. We met upon the same play-ground of 
childhood, in the school room of youth, schooled in 
the same college, fought the battles of the profession 
side by side in the same arena for more than a quar- 
ter of a century, often meeting in the tierce struggle 
of debate for the mastery, and not unfrequently the 



angry and violent language of debate seemed to arouse 
feelings of anger that would not subside, but as we 
left the court room, we left behind the animosities of 
the conflict, and met as we ever had met, as friends; 
and it is a pleasing thought to know that at the close 
of his life we were friends, almost brothers. He was 
possessed of an ardent and sanguine temperament, 
and in all of his cases he threw the force of his strong 
will and varied learning. Conscientious in the dis- 
charge of his duty to his client, he was always pre- 
pared. He never wearied in the examination of his 
case until he thoroughly understood it, and when he 
came into court he was fully prepared for the conflict. 
A faithful student and a devoted Christian, he fully 
realized that 'life's but a walking shadow,' and that 
'the veil which covers the face of futurity is woven 
by the hand of mercy,' and whenever he realized that 
in the excitement of professional contest he had in an 
unguarded moment wounded the feelings of a brother, 
he sought the earliest opportunity to erase all harsh- 
ness and bitterness engendered by his conduct. For 
many years past disease was preying upon him, and 
at times he seemed very irrascible, yet he endeavored 
with all the will force he could command to restrain 
his temper, treat his antagonist with propriety, and 
keep within the bounds of decorum, for he felt and 
fully realized that 'there is indeed a God, that sees 
and hears whate'er we do,' and to that God he was 
accountable to the fullest extent. And now that he 
has gone from among us, and will no longer mingle 
in the strifes and contests of the court, let us forget 
his foibles, and remember only his virtues." 

The death of Mr. Mcintosh occurred in the even- 
ing of August 27, 1878. He left surviving him his 
wife, Elizabeth W. (Martindale) Mcintosh, whom he 
had married in Indianapolis, April 28, 1851, and five 
children. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, 



125 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-65. 
PUBLIC SENTIMENT AND ACTION IN THE BEGINNING— COUNTY EXPENDITURES— DEPARTURE OF THE FAYETTE 
COUNTY UNION GUARDS— DRAFTS, BOUNTIES, ETC.— HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS AND EEGIMENTS— 
LADIES' AID SOCIETY, DONATIONS, ETC.— CLOSING SCENES. 



THE citizens of Fayette County will ever contem- 
plate with great pride, and hand down to posterity 
the record of her soldiers, and the honorable part 
they bore in the great struggle of 1861-65, for the 
preservation and perpetuity of the Union. The firing 
on Sumter seemed an individual aim, and so stirred 
the patriotism of her sturdy yeomanry, and none the 
less patriotic sons, that together they left the plow 
in the furrow, and side by side came father and son 
from the anvil, the accountant's desk, the law office 
and the workshop, offering their lives rather than see 
traitorous hands strike death to the flag of liberty — 
the flag representing the principles of our fore- 
fathers, so dearly by them purchased at Valley Forge, 
at Bunker Hill, and at Yorktown. 

PUBLIC SENTIMENT AND ACTION IN THE BEGINNING. 

On receipt of the news of the fall of Sumter, the 
excitement throughout the county became intense. 
Occupations and pursuits were almost wholly neg- 
lected, and the loyal men of all parties announced 
their readiness to follow their country's call. Con- 
nersville was thronged with an excited populace, ask- 
ing for the latest news from the seat of war. The 
following extracts are taken from the Connersville 
Times, of April 25, 1S61: 

" The greatest enthusiasm has existed here during 
the past week. Meetings of all the citizens of all 
parties express a determination to aid the Government 
with means and money to the utmost capabilities 
of Fayette County, if need be. 

" A cannon squad has been organized under the 
command of W. W. Frybarger, tendered to the Gov- 
ernor of the State, and accepted. They comprise a 
small band of brave hearts and stout arms, and they 
will preserve the honor of Fayette County untarnished 
in the trying hour. 

"A company of volunteers of over a hundred men 
has been organized, tendered to the Governor, and 
accepted. The company is styled the ' Fayette Coun- 
ty Guards,' and is officered as follows: 

"Captain, Joseph Marshall; First Lieutenant, 
Joseph Greer; Second Lieutenant, Thomas J. 
Powell; Third Lieutenant, Jesse Holton; First 



Ensign, John Kensler; Orderly Sergeant, John Mc- 
Cleary. 

II * * * ^ Zouave company is being formed. 
A large number of citizens of Fayette County assem- 
bled in the court house square in Connersville April 
20, for the purpose of providing men and means for 
the defense and support of the Constitution of the 
United States, and the laws passed by Congress in 
pursuance thereof. 

" On motion Elisha Vance was chosen President; 
William H. Beck and William Watton, Vice-Presi- 
dents; Henry Goodlander and Confucius B. Edwards, 
Secretaries. After music by the Connersville Brass 
Band, the ladies and gentlemen comprising a choir 
for the occasion, sang the 'Star Spangled Banner,' 
which was received with immense applause. 

" On motion a committee of three from Conners- 
ville Township, and one from each of the other town- 
ships was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of 
the sentiments of the people of the county. The 
committee consisted of the following gentlemen, 
namely: 

"Connersville, Benjamin F. Claypool, Judge Reid, 
Judge Wilson; Orange, Samuel Little; Jennings, 
Joseph D. Ross; Jackson, James Smith; Columbia, 
Heman Jones; Fairview, John G. Lewis; Harrison, 
Thomas Moffitt; Posey, Isaac Powell; Waterloo, 
William C. Forrey. 

" Lafe Develin, of Cambridge City, was called to 
the stand and made an eloquent and patriotic 
speech. 

" The Committee on Resolutions submitted a series 
of resolutions, which were unanimously adopted with 
great applause. Patriotic speeches were made by 
Rev. George Campbell, Rev. P. Carland, Capt. Joe 
Marshall and Capt. Newkirk. The resolutions were 
as follows: 

"Whereas, In certain States of our country, citizens 
thereof having taken up arms and are now in open rebell- 
ion against the same; and whereas, for the purpose of 
putting down said rebellion, maintaining the la ?vs and author- 
ity of the Government, and protecting the property of the 
same, the President of the United States has issued his proc- 
lamation calling upon the loyal citizens of the same to volun- 
teer their services and place themselves at the disposal of the 



126 



HISTOKY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Government; and whereas, divers good and loyal citizens of 
the county of Fayette, have, pursuant to the said proclama- 
tion, tendered their services. Therefore, iu consideration of 
the premises aforesaid, it is hereby 

" Orderedby the Board of County Oommiasioners, That the 
sum of $5,000 of the funds of the county be and the same is 
hereby appropriated, to be paid out on orders to be issued 
from time to time, as may be necessary, for the purpose of 
maintaining and supporting the families of such persons as 
have volunteered or may hereafter volunteer, as may stand in 
need of assistance during the absence of the persons above 
referred to. 

" Besolved.That the Board of Commissioners be instructed 
to appoint such agents in each township, as may be neces- 
sary for the purpose of acting as receiving and disbursing 
agents in order to supply the families of the absent volun- 
teers, who may require assistance and support in maintaining 
the same. 

" Resolved, That our Senator and Representative in the 
General Assembly be requested to vote at the called session of 
the Legislature, for an efficient, judicious and military law, 
and for the appropriation of all money needed for a vigorous 
prosecution of the war in which our country is now involved. 

"Resolved, That as it may be necessary for the volunteers 
to furnish themselves with uniforms and articles necessary 
for their comfort at the opening of the campaign, it is 
requested that, in addition to the necessary uniform, each 
volunteer furnish himself with one common blanket, one 
spoon, knife and fork, and file his voucher for the cost there- 
of with the Captain of his company for the reimbursement of 
the same. 

"Resolved, That the County Commissioners employ some 
competent person or house to furnish the necessary uniforms 
for the volunteers, and that proper voucliers be taken and 
kept for the cost thereof, so that tlie county may be indem- 
nified by the State or General Government. 

"Resolved, That Misses Roxa Edmonds, Callie Disney, 
Augusta Mason, Fannie Newkirk, Fannie Durnan, Sophia 
Frybarger, of Connersviile Township; Misses Matilda Stone, 
Kitty Wagoner and E. A. Irvin, of Orange Township; Misses 
Harriet Thrasher, Mary Bates and Jane McCrory, of Fair- 
view Township; Misses Eda McMullen, Eliza Jones and 
Sallie Cole of Waterloo Township; Misses Mary Munger, 
Frances Loder and Lizzie Cole, of Posey Township; Misses 
Margaret Thomas, Mary Dale and Rosa Thomas, of Harrison 
Town.ship; Misses Mary Jones. Mary Webb and Lydia A. 
Messersmith, of Columbia Township; Misses Mary Rether- 
ford, Maria Newland and Rachel Burk, of Jennings Town- 
ship; Misses Caroline Beckett, Eunice Moore and Emily Clif- 
ton, of Jackson Township, are hereby requested to call upon 
the citizens of Fayette County and solicit donations of woolen 
blankets, and give one to each volunteer from the county of 
Fayette, and the citizens of said county be and are hereby 
requested to send to said committee, at the room of Miss Fan- 
nie Newkirk, such blankets as they may be willing to con- 
tribute for the purpose aforesaid. 

"Resolved, Tliat the President of this meeting telegraph 
T. A. Morris. Quartermaster General, that Fayette County 
will do her duty in furnishing volunteers, and blankets, 
knives, forks and spoons for their use. 

"Resolved, That the County Commissioners be instructed 
to buy the cannon belonging to W. W. Frybarger, for the 
use of the county, it being understood that said Frybarger 
will sell the same at cost and carriage." 

Tbe Commissioners were present and responded 
to the requests of tbe meeting, and in accordance 
with the order passed by them, the following agents 



were appointed for the purpose of soliciting provis- 
ions: City, Josiah Mullikin; Connersviile Township, 
George Harlan and Stout Atberton; Jackson, A. V. 
Larimore and Achilles Backhouse; Jennings, J. J. 
Burk and J. W. Boss; Columbia, George Scott and 
Thomas J. Crisler ; Orange, Emanuel Wagoner and 
William Conner; Harrison, Joseph Dale and An- 
thony Watt; Posey, Temple Beason and Jacob New- 
kirk; Fairview, Joseph M. Sutliflfe and Amos G. 
Smith. 

COUNTY EXPENPITDRES. 

James EUivtt was appointed agent for the county 
in the distribution of funds and continued to act as 
such during the entire war. Tbe county expended 
during that period for the relief of soldiers' families 
164,366.37, and for miscellaneous purposes 19,201.4:5, 
which with the amount expended for local bounty 
amounted to $264,331.82. 

DEPARTURE OF THE FAYETTE COUNTY UNION GUARDS. 

The "Fayette County Union Guards" left for 
camp at Eichmond Friday, May 10, 1861. About 10 
o'clock the company was drawn up in line in the 
court house yard, when a few remarks were made by 
Capt. Marshall and a pathetic farewell address was 
delivered by Rev. William Pelan; and a committee of 
ladies presented each volunteer with a Testament, 
when by means of vehicles the company left for 
camp. The very air itself was laden with patriotism; 
the National flag floated from housetops and the 
whole country was filled with noise and excitement of 
military preparation. 

No one party filled the ranks; the volunteers of 
Fayette came from all parties; Repiiblicans, Demo- 
crats, and Bell-Evprett men, all forgot their differ- 
ences and gave their services to support the Constitu- 
tion and the Union. 

DRAFTS, BOUNTIES, ETC. 

The war called for so large a proportion of the 
entire male population that the quota of the county 
was not in all cases filled without difficulty. Drafts 
and the offer of large bounties to volunteers were 
found necessary, hence many of the recruits on being 
mustered into service received considerable bounty. 

The draft assignment of October 6, 1862, to Fay- 
ette County was as follows: Connersviile Township, 
6; Orange, 1; Harrison, 5; Posey, 27; Waterloo, 18; 
Fairview, 13. 

The men who filled the quota of Fayette County 
were with the exception of an inconsiderable fraction 
volunteers. The county, with a total militia enroll- 
ment in September, 1862, of 1,081, had sent to the 
field 560 men, requiring the following month the 
small draft only of 70 men. 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



127 



The total amount expended by the county for lo- 
cal bounty was $190,764 

HISTORY OF ORGANIZATION AND REaiMENTS. 

The regiments from Indiana which contained the 
' greatest number of men from Fayette County, were 
the Sixteenth, Thirty-sixth, Sixty-ninth, One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-Fourth, Forty-first, Third Battery, 
and Third Cavalry, the following history of which 
is condensed from the elaborate report of the late 
Hon. W. H. H. Terrell Adjutant-General of Indiana: 

Sixteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
— Of the several companies raised in Fayette County, 
Company E formed a part of the Sixteenth Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry (one year's service). Its Captain 
was John M. Orr, and First Lieutenant, William H. 
Greer, both of Connersville. 

The organization of the regiment was completed 
at Richmond in May, 1861, with Pleasant A. Hackle- 
man as Colonel. It was intended to serve within 
the limits of the State for one year, but its services 
were offered and accepted by the General Government 
the same day that the North was startled with the 
news of the disaster at Bull Run. July 23 the 
regiment left Richmond and was the first regiment 
that marched through Baltimore after the firing 
upon the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, in April- 
Reaching Harper's Ferry it was assigned to Gen_ 
Banks' army. October 21 — the fatal day of Ball's 
Bluff— the regiment marched all day long under the 
sound of cannon. In the afternoon of the 2 2d an 
attack was made upon the pickets, in which two men 
of the Sixteenth were killed. Immediately after the 
regiment was huiTied forward, in line of battle, on 
the Bluffs, and here in the evening participated in 
a brisk engagement with the enemy. Orders being 
given for an evacuation the Sixteenth was detailed 
on the 23d as a picket line, to cover the retreat of 
our forces, and was the last regiment to recross the 
Potomac, reaching the Maryland shore at daylight 
on the 24th. Two men were drowned during this 
expedition. It went into winter quarters ("Canton- 
ment Hicks") near Frederick City, December 6. 

In February, 1862, the long expected movement 
of the armies commenced. In March the Sixteenth, 
with a detachment of other troops from the brigade, 
built a bridge across the Shenandoah at Snicker's 
Ferry, accomplishing the work in forty-eight hours. 
Here six men of Stonewall Jackson's army were cap- 
tured by Lieut. Copeland, of the Sixteenth. May 
12 it left for Washington, D. C, where on the 14th 
of May it was mustered out of service and soon after 
returned to Indiana. Its commanding Colonel was 
on April 30 commissioned a Brigadier-General and 
on May 13, in presence of the regiment, an elegant 



sword was presented by the enlisted men of the Six- 
teenth. This gallant officer was killed in battle at 
luka. Miss. Lieut. -Col. Thomas J. Lucas succeeded 
him as Colonel. 

Company A formed part of the Sixteenth Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry (three years' serv- 
ice). Its successive commissioned officers from this 
county were: Captains, JohnM. Orr, John A. Haines, 
Timothy Doherty; First Lieutenants, John A. Haines, 
Timothy Doherty, JohnKensler; Second Lieutenants, 
Timothy Doherty, John Kensler, .Thomas M. Hardy 
and Lawrence Rowan. 

The regiment was re-organized for three years' 
service at Indianapolis, May 27, 1862, with Thomas 
J. Lucas as Colonel. The regiment left August 19 for 
Kentucky to aid in repelling the invasion of the 
State by Kirby Smith. On the 30th of August it 
took part in the battle of Richmond, Ky. , losing 200 
men killed and wounded, and 600 prisoners. Lieut. 
Col. Joel Wolfe was killed in this action while the 
regiment was endeavoring to cut its way through the 
Rebel lines. After the defeat the prisoners were 
paroled and sent to Indianapolis, where they remained 
in parole camp until November 1, when exchanged. 
On the 20th of that month the regiment marched to 
Cairo, and from thence to Memphis, where it remained 
until December 1, and then moved down the river to 
participate in the Vicksburg campaign. On the 
25th the brigade of which the Sixteenth was a part 
was sent to cut the Texas & Shreveport Railroad at 
Dallas. In this expedition it marched sixty-five miles 
in thirty-six hours, swam two bayous, destroyed ten 
miles of railroad track and burned $1,000,000 
worth of property belonging to the Rebel Government. 
On the 1st of January, 1863, it engaged the enemy 
in the attempt to storm his works at Chickasaw 
Bayou, near Vicksburg, and was driven back, the 
brigade to which it was attached losing 500 men. 
Re-embarking on the 3d, the Sixteenth reached Ar- 
kansas Post on the 10th of January, and attacked the 
enemy in the fort, skirmishing until night fall. On 
the 11th it participated in the general engagement that 
ensued, and was the first regiment to plant its colors 
within the fort; its loss was seventy-seven men killed 
and wounded. The surrender was made by the same 
officer (Gen. Churchill) to whom the Sixteenth sur- 
rendered at Richmond, and among the captured 
wagons were some that the regiment had lost in its 
retreat at that time. The Sixteenth was at Hard 
Times Landing, opposite and above Grand Gulf, dur- 
ing the unsuccessful attempt of the gun-boats to 
reduce Grand Gulf. It was at Port Gibson and 
formed part of the reserve to Gen. Hovey's division, 
and marching forward engaged the enemy, driving 
him from the hill in front. It participated in a 



128 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



severe skirinish with the enemy near Edward's Station 
May 16, after which the regiment marched to Black 
River Bridge, where it fought at that point. It then 
proceeded to the rear of Vicksburg, and went into 
the trenches on the IQtli of May, and participated in 
all of the operations of the siege until the capitula- 
tion on the 4th of July. In the assault on the 
enemy's works on the 2'2d of May, the Sixteenth 
bore a conspicuous part, holding an important posi- 
tion for nearly ten hours' continuous fighting, and 
part of the time was within twenty-live feet of the 
Rebel fort in its front. During the siege the regiment 
lost sixty men killed and wounded. After the sur- 
render the regiment marched to Jackson, where it 
took part in the skirmishing on the march and at 
that place. It was transported to New Orleans, where 
it was mounted and attached to the Cavalry Corps, 
Department of the Gulf, and was distributed along 
the eastern shore of the Mississippi, to pi-otect trans- 
portation between New Orleans and points up the 
coast. In October the Cavalry Corps was ordered on 
an expedition up the Bayou Teche, in which section 
the Sixteenth remained continually skirmishing with 
the enemy until January 2, 1864. It was refitted 
and re-mounted and marched as part of the cavalry 
of Banks' expedition up Red River, during which 
campaign it had sixteen engagements with the enemy. 
The regiment was reviewed in New Orleans, where 
it had been ordered for muster out, by Gen. Grierson, 
who complimented it on having turned over to the 
Quartermaster the best horses that had ever been in 
that department, and as a compliment to the men 
whose terms of service had not then expired, it was 
ordered by Gen. Canby that they be transferred to 
the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, thus putting together 
infantry and cavalry, an unknown precedent during 
the war. The regiment was mustered out at New 
Orleans June 30, 1865. It arrived at Indianapolis 
July 10, 1865, with 365 men and officers, and on the 
next day it had a public reception in the capitol 
grounds, at which the regiment was addressed by 
Gov. Morton and others. 

Thirty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry. — Company H formed a part of the Thirty- 
sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Its successive 
commissioned officers were Captains, Gilbert Trusler, 
William F. Limpus; First Lieutenants, Addison M. 
Davis, John L. Hensley, William F. Limpus, George 
Mullikin; Second Lieutenants, William F. Limpus, 
George Mullikin, James Patterson, and Joseph Hilli- 
goss. Gilbert Trusler, of Connersville, was commis- 
sioned Major of the regiment, June 3, 1863, and 
resigned the following December, and Daniel D. 
Hall, of the same place, served as Surgeon of the 
regiment from September, 1861, to March, 1882. 



The Thirty-sixth Regiment was organized "at 
Richmond, and mustered into service for three years, 
on the 16th of September, 1861, and soon after left 
for the field. During the fall and winter of 1861 it 
encamped and marched with the Army of the Ohio, 
until it reached Nashville, in February, 1862. In 
March it moved to the Tennessee River, and reached 
the field of Shiloh in time to take an active part in 
that great battle, in which it sustained a loss of nine 
killed, thirty-eight wounded and one missing. It 
was at the siege of Corinth, and participated therein 
until the evacuation. It pursued Bragg through 
Kentucky with Buell's army, and participated . with 
Rosecrans' army in the battle at Stone River, and it 
was atChickamauga, and in both sustained losses in 
killed, wounded and missing. It subsequently moved 
with Sherman's army toward Atlanta, and partici- 
pated in the marches, skirmishes and engagements of 
that eventful campaign. 

Sixty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry. — Company K formed a part of the Sixty- 
ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Its 
successive commissioned officers were: Captains, Will- 
iam Kerr, Jesse Holton; First Lieutenants, Jesse 
Holton, William G. Plummer, Joseph Senior, Harvey 
A. Zimmerman; Second Lieutenants, William G. 
I'lummer, Joseph Senior. Job Stout, of Conners- 
ville, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
regiment, August 19, 1862, and resigned January 21, 
1863. William M. Smith and William Stewart, of 
Connersville, served respectively as Quartermaster. 

The Sixty-ninth Regiment was organized at Rich- 
mond on the 19th of August, 1862, with William A. 
Bickle as Colonel. On the 20th of August it left 
for Kentucky, and on reaching Lexington moved in the 
direction of Richmond, Ky. Near this place, on the 
30th of August, it participated in the battle with 
Kirby Smith's Rebel forces, losing 218 men and offi- 
cers, killed and wounded. Though the men fought 
bravely, the disciplined troops of the enemy over- 
powered the regiment and captured it almost en masse. 
The captured men were immediately paroled and sent 
to parole camp, Indianapolis. Upon being exchanged 
the regiment was re-organized at Indianapolis and 
left that place on the 27th of November, 1862, for 
Memphis, Tenn,, in command of Col. Thomas W. 
Bennett. On the 20th of December it proceeded 
down the Mississippi River with Sheldon's brigade 
of Morgan's division of Sherman's wing of Grant's 
army, on the expedition to Vicksburg. In the assault 
upon the enemy's works at Chickasaw Bluffs, the 
Sixty-ninth took part, suffering but a slight loss. 
After the repulse at this place, the regiment moved 
to Arkansas Post, where it was engaged on the 11th 
of January, 1863, and after the capture of the post 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



129 



it proceeded to Young's Point, and while stationed 
there over 100 men died from disease. In the latter 
part of February it moved to Milliken's Bend, and 
on the morning of the 30th of March marched as the 
advance regiment of Grant's army in the movement 
against Vicksburg. On reaching Roundaway Bayou, 
opposite Richmond, La., in the afternoon, a Rebel 
force was found and dislodged. It was during this 
movement that 2,000 feet of bridging was constructed 
in three days. Thus was a military road completed 
across the peninsula from the river above Vicksburg, 
to the river forty miles below that city, over which 
the whole army rapidly moved. On the 30th of 
April the advance crossed the Mississippi at Hard 
Times Landing, and disembarked at D'Schron's, on 
the opposite bank, from whence it marched to Port 
Gibson, where on the Ist of May the battle of Thomp- 
Bon's Hill was fought. In this engagement the 
Sixty-ninth lost seventy-one killed and wounded. 
On the 16th of May it was engaged at Champion 
Hills, and on the 17th of May took part in the 
assault on the enemy's works at Black River Bridge. 
It then moved to the rear of the Rebel works at Vicks- 
burg, participating in the siege up to and including 
the assault on the 22d of May. On the 23d of May 
it moved with Osterhaus' division to the Black River 
Bridge, where it was stationed during the remainder 
of the siege of Vicksburg, holding Johnson in 
check. During all these operations on the east 
side of the Mississippi River, the regiment served 
in Osterhaus' division, which opened every engage- 
ment prior to the investment of Vicksburg. 

At Jackson the Sixty-ninth was actively engaged 
during the six days' siege of that place. * * * 
On the 13th of February, 186-1, it sailed for Indian- 
ola, and on the 13th of March evacuated that place 
and started for Matagorda Island. During the prog- 
ress of this movement, while crossing from Birnio's 
Island to Matagorda Island, a boat swamped and two 
officers and twenty men were drowned. * * 

* * It met Bauks' retreating army at Alex- 
andria, on the 27th of April, and was engaged in the 
fight near that place, and, in the retreat from that 
place to the Mississippi River, supported Lucas' 
cavalry brigade, which covered the retreat. * * 
•» * On the 20th of March it moved with Steel's 
expedition through Florida and southern Alabama, 
arriving in the rear of Blakely on the 1st of April. 
In the assault on Blakely, on the 9th of April, the 
regiment was engaged, after which it guarded Rebel 
prisoners from Blakely to Ship Island. * * 

* * On the 5th day of July, 1865, the battalion 
was mustered out of service (the regiment was con- 
solidated into a battalion) at Mobile, and on the 7th 
left for home, having sixteen officers and 284 men. 



This regiment has left its dead in eleven States, 
and participated in the battles of Richmond, Ky., 
Chickasaw Bluflfs, Arkansas Post, Thompson's Hill, 
Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, and the capture of Blakely, 
Ala., which caused the surrender of Mobile. 

Second Cavalry (Forty-first Regiment, Indiana 
Volunteers). — Company L formed a part of the Sec- 
ond Cavalry (Forty-first Regiment Indiana Volun- 
teers). Its successive commissioned officers were 
Captains, Isaiah D. Walker, Christian Beck, James 
Q. Hackleman; First Lieutenants, Christian Beck, 
James G. Hackleman, Probasco Thomas; Second 
Lieutenants, James A. Smith, James G. Hackleman, 
Probasco Thomas. Rev. W. Pelan, of Connersville, 
went out as Chaplain of the regiment; Harvey Y. 
Burt for a short period served as Adjutant and 
Charles Mount for a year as Commissary. 

Capt. Walker was commissioned as Major of the 
regiment June 21, 1862, and resigned May 29, 1863. 

This was the first complete cavalry regiment 
raised in Indiana. It was organized in Indianapolis 
in September, 1861, with John A. Bridgeland as Col- 
onel. In February, 1862, it marched with Buell's 
army toward Nashville, and from that point moved to 
the Tennessee River, reaching the field of Shiloh after 
the battle. On the 19th of April it had a skirmish 
with the enemy on the road to Corinth, and on the 
15th it engaged the Rebels at Pea Ridge, Tenn., los- 
ing a number in killed and wounded. On the 22d 
it participated in a reconnoisance in force, driving 
the enemy three miles. During the siege of Corinth 
it was actively engaged, and immediately after the 
evacuation marched with Buell's army into northern 
Alabama and on the 31st of May had a skirmish with 
the enemy at Tuscumbia, losing a few men in killed 
and wounded. 

Moving into Tennessee the regiment fought the 
enemy at McMinnville on the 9th of August and at 
Gallatin on the 21st and 27th of August, losing sev- 
eral in killed, wounded and missing. In September 
it marched into Kentucky, participating in the Bragg 
and Buell campaign, engaging the enemy at Vinegar 
Hill on the 22d of September, and at Perryville on 
the 8th of October. On the 30th of November, while 
the regiment was at Nashville, a detachment under 
command of Maj. Samuel Hill was highly compli- 
mented by Gen. Rosecrans, in special field orders, 
for having recaptured a government train, defeating 
Rebel cavalry, killing twenty and capturing 200 prie- 
onors. On the 11th of June, 1863, it fought the en- 
emy at Triune, Tenn., losing a number in killed and 
wounded. It participated in a sharp fight at Talbott's 
Station. While at Mossy Creek, Tenn., the regiment 
re-enlisted January 10, 1864, and during the winter 



130 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



and spriiiij w!»s eng!ii:;tyl in numerous scouts and skir- 
mishes. Kisiug sovoral mon. 

In May, 1S(U. the regiment moved with Sher- 
man's army in its campaign against .Atlanta, engaging 
in many skirmishes and battles, mnong which were the 
following: May 9. at Varuell's Station, neai- Keseca; 
July 1. near Acworth: July -8 and 30. neju- Newnan; 
.\ugnst 30, near .Atlanta. The non-veterans were 
mustered out on occupying Atlanta, and in Septem- 
Ihh", iStU. tlie remaining veterans and ivcruits were 
consolidated into a battalion of four companies and 
place*.! in command of Maj. Koswell S Hill. In Jan- 
uary, lSl>?i. it joined the army of Gen. AVilson and 
participated in the raid through Alabama, engaging 
the enemy nesu- Scottsville. April 2. and at West 
Point, Ga., on the UUh. In the latter battle the regi- 
ment suffervni severely, Maj. Hill having one of his 
legs shot off while leading a charge. It was mustered 
ont at Nashville. July •22. lSl>5. Shortly after it 
movetl to Indianapolis, where it was liually dis- 
chargeil. 

One HuiHiiy>ti and I'ny^nty- fourth Regiment. Indi- 
ana Volunteer Infantry. — Compjmy A formed a part 
of the One Hnmii-ed and Twenty-fourth Kegiment, 
Indiaa:i Volunteer Infantry. It<3 successive commis- 
sioned oflioers were: C;\ptains, John M. Orr. John 
W. Hannah; First Lieutenants;, John W. Hannah, 
Martin S. Bush; Second Lieutenants. Martin S. Bush, 
Lot H. C. Pumphrey.' Capt. Orr was coiamissionevi 
as Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment March 8. 1S64, 
and promoted Colonel Jnly 10 of the same year. 

George F. Stewai-t. of Couuersville, served )»s Sec- 
ond and First Lieutenant respectively in Compiny 
E, and John B. Schissler as First Lieutenant in Com- 
piiny F. of the regiment; and a number of privates in 
C!omjiany G wei^e fixim this county. 

The regiment was mustered into sei'vice Miu-eh 10, 
iStU. with James Burgess as Colonel. It went to 
Nashville, xvaching that fx>int on the 24th of the 
same month, and was assigned to the division of 
Gen. Hovey. .\pril 5 the regiment left Nashville 
for the front, marching by way of MurfrtvsKiro. 
Shelbyville, TuUahoma, Stevenson. Bridgejx>rt, Chat- 
tanooga, and so on. The Twenty -third Corps, to 
which the ivgiment was assigned, arrived in front of 
Buzzard's Boost May S. A demonstration was 
made by Gen. Scotieldnpon that formidable position, 
the regiment losing one killed and two wounded. A 
portion of Sherman's army having penetrated Snake 
Creek Gap, the regiment move^i with its division 
through the Gap, and crossed the Ostanaula Eiver, 
near Tilton, Our column then passed to the left of 
Resaca, and marched on the ISth to Calhoun. It 
moved tlie next day to the right of Kingston, and 
skirmished along the railroad. On the 21st it 



enconntorod the enemy, and brisk skirmishing ensued. 
On the tirsf of iluue the regiment was engaged in 
sharp skirmishing in the vicinity of AUatoona and 
Pumpkin Vine Creek, and took jvsition opposite to 
and neiu' Lost Mountain. Temporiuy works were 
constructed, and for two daj*s sharp fighting was 
had with the enemy. The skirmish line then moved 
close to tlie formidable works of the enemy, the regi- 
ment advancing in snpjwrt under a heavy lire of 
artillery and musketry. The enemy having evacuated 
the works, the regiment took position on the right of 
Kenesaw Mountain. On the 23d tlie regiment 
advanced close up to the enemy's works on Kenesaw 
Mountain, and skirmished with his sharp-shoot<»rs. 
The picket firing and skirmishing continued until 
the morning of July 3, when the Rebel Gen. 
Johnston suddenly abandoned his strong position, 
and fell back to Smyrna Church. The regiment 
encountered the enemy near Decatur, where brisk 
skirmishing ensueil, resulting in tlie enemy being 
ilriven through Decatur, and the capture of that 
town. For several days it was engaged in skirmish- 
ing, and on the 2 1st of July reached a position 
where the hills and stoeples of Atlanta could be seen. 
On the 22d the regiment moved with its division, 
and aide^l materially in repulsing the Rebels under 
Hood and Haivlee. who had attacked oiu- forces. 
The siege of .Atlanta progressed vigorously until 
August 30, when its evacuation was forced, during all 
of which time the regiment played its part. 

October 4. the regiment marched with its corps 
in pursuit of Hood, the column moving by the way 
of Marietta to AUatoona, and thence through Cass- 
ville and Kingston, to Rome: and crossing the Ostan- 
aula River at that place on the 12th, a sharp skir- 
mish was had with a portion of the enemy's forces, 
his main Ixxly having marched with great rapidity 
towards Kesaca and Dalton. The column tiien 
headeil for Calhoun and Resaca, but the Rebel Army 
had disappeared before our .arrival. The pui-suit was 
continued through Snake Creek and Mhite's Gaps to 
Summerville. and down the Chattanooga Valley to 
Gaylesville. Ala., where the pursuit was discon- 
tinued. The Twenty-third soon became a part of 
the command of Gen. Thomas. The regiment, Octo- 
ber 23, moved with its division to Cedivr Bluffs, 
and marched to Dalton cia Cave Spring. Rome, 
Resaca and Tilton. It was then transported to 
Nashville, where it arrived Noveml>er V. Novem- 
ber 21 the i-egiment threw up temporary breast- 
works at Columbia, and for two days was engaged 
in brisk skirmishing with the enemy under Hooil. 
At Spring Hill the enemy's cavalry was encountered 
and severe skirmishing ensued. After a brisk fight 
the regiment forced its way through, losing Company 




^.^ 



-f 



^ />.e^i-^ 



"tn^ Ctry^y^^ 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



133 



C, ■which was captured by the enemy. The regi- 
ment reached Franklin on the morning of November 
30, and immediately took position in line of battle 
OQ the southern edge of that town. Slight breast- 
works were hastily constructed; the enemy soon 
appeared in force, and made several attempts to carry 
the position by assault. These successive attacks were 
met and most decisively repulsed. During the night 
the regiment fell back with the army to Nashville, 
and took position to the right of Fort Negley, whore 
it was employed in erecting defenses until December 
15. On the latter date the army of Gen. Thomas 
advanced from its fortifications around Nashville, 
upon the Rebel Army of Gen. Hood, and after two 
days severe fighting, inflicted a ruinous defeat upon 
the Rebel foe. Thei'egiment took part in this battle, 
and joined in the pursuit of Hood's demoralized 
army. 

In 1865 the regiment proceeded to North Carolina, 
landing at Morehead City February 27. March 6 it 
marched with Gen. Scofield's column along the rail- 
road toward Kingston. Upon reaching Wise's Forks, 
the enemy was encountered in a strong position in 
force. Heavy skirmishing was kept up during the 
first day. On the 9th the enemy being largely 
re-enforced, made an assault upon our left and center, 
and, after a severe battle, was repulsed and retreated 
in much confusion. The regiment took an active 
part in this battle. On the 15th it crossed the Neuse 
River and marched to Kingston ; thence to Goldsboro, 
reaching there on the 21st, where the junction was 
formed with the victorious columns of Sherman, who 
had marched from Atlanta to the sea, and from the 
sea through the strongholds of the Rebel hiding-places, 
halting in the " Old North State" only long enough 
to greet their old comrades of the Twenty-third 
Corps and press forward to final victory. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Greensboro August 31, 
1865. 

The Third Battery.— The Third Battery, Light 
Artillery, Indiana Volunteers, was organized at Con- 
nersville on the 5th of August, and mustered into 
service August 24, 1861, with W. W. Frybarger as 
Captain During the month of September the battery 
moved to St. Louis, was assigned to Gen. Fremont's 
army and moved with that army in the campaign 
through southwest Missouri. Upon the close of his 
campaign Capt. Frybarger being promoted Major 
(November 80), and ordered to Indianapolis for the 
purpose of organizing batteries, Lieut. James M. 
Cockefair was promoted Captain. From Springfield 
the battery moved to Tipton and thence to LaMine 
Cantonment, where it remained until the spring of 
1862. During the summer and fall of 1862 sections 
of the Third Battery were dispatched to different por- 



tions of Missouri, and engaged in numerous en- 
counters with straggling forces of the enemy. This 
duty was exceedingly arduous and difficult, owing to 
the long and frequent marches, and the impossibility 
of forcing the enemy to a decisive battle. Sharp 
encounters were had with the enemy at Mooe's Mill, 
Kirksville and Lone Jack, in which the battery lost 
in killed and wounded. After a separation of nine 
months, and having traversed the principal portion 
of Missouri, the Third Battery rendezvoused at 
Springfield during the winter of 1862. It was 
stationed at St. Louis until the latter part of 1863. 
In November, 1863, a majority of the members of the 
battery re-enlisted as veterans. It moved with the 
column under command of Gen. A. J. Smith in the 
winter of 1863-64 through western Tennessee. The 
battery then moved to Memj)his, and with its division 
proceeded on steamer to Vicksbiu'g, with the column 
of Gen. Sherman, and proceeded to Meridian, Miss. 
Having aided in sufficiently destroying the enemy's 
communications, the battery retui'ned with the army 
to its place of starting. 

On the 8th of March the^Third Battery proceeded 
up the Red River by steamboat, and took part in the 
storming and captiu-e of Fort De Russy. Thence the 
battery moved with Gen. A. J. Smith's command, 
and on the 9th of April was engaged in the battle of 
Pleasant Hill, in which the pursuing enemy were 
checked and routed. The battery was engaged 
almost constantly in covering the retreat of Banks' 
army, until it reached Morganza Bend, on the Mis- 
sissippi River, May 21. During this campaign it 
took part in the battles at Cautcherville, Cane Run, 
Alexandria, Old Oaks and Round Lake. Upon 
reaching the Mississippi River the battery embarked 
with its corps and moved toVicksburg; thence to 
Memphis, and thence marched to Tupelo, Miss., being 
engaged with the enemy at Tupelo, Tallahatchie, 
Jackson and Clinton, Miss., during this movement 
across the country. 

It moved with the Sixteenth Army Corps to St. 
Louie, and joined the forces of Gen. Rosecrans, in 
the pursuit of the Rebel Gen. Price, in the fall of 
1864. After marching 800 miles in twenty-four days, 
without being able to overtake the enemy, the Third 
Battery returned to St. Louis, and moved from thence 
to Nashville, Tenn. Here, with tlie army of Gen. 
Thomas, the battery took part in the decisive engage- 
ment in front of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th of 
December, 1864, which resulted in the defeat and rout 
of Hood' s Rebel army. The battery was subsequently 
assigned to Gen. Canby's command, and operated with 
his army upon the defenses of Mobile. It was 
actively engaged in the siege and capture of Fort 
Blakely, which completed the surrender of Mobile. 



134 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



The Third Battery was mustered out of the service 
at Indianapolis August 21, 1865. 

FoJlowing the command of J. M. Cockefair, 
Thomas J. Ginn and Richard Burns commanded the 
battery respectively. 

In addition to the above-named companies the 
county was represented in various other organizations, 
among which were the Eighty- fourth Regiment, in 
which it had officers and men (Nelson Trusler was com- 
missioned its Colonel September 5, 1862, and resigned 
October 17, 1803); Twenty third Battery Light Artil- 
lery; Third Cavalry (Forty-tifth); Sixth Cavalry Bat- 
talion (Seventy first); Thirty-lifth, Fourth Regiment 
(Hancock's Corps), One Hunth-ed and Forty seventh 
Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and Seventh Cavalry 
Indiana Volunteers. Christian Beck of Conuersville. 
was commissioned Major of the regiment September 23, 
1863; March 1, 186-1, was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Ninth Cavalry, and resigned October 
28, 1864. Dr. Joshua Chitwood served as Assistant 
Surgeon and Surgeon of the Seventh Cavalry Indiana 
Volunteers in 1863-64. 

One Hundred and Fourth Regiment Minute Men. 
— Company K of the One Hundred and Fourth Reg- 
iment Minuto Men was from Fayette County. The 
regiment was organized at Greeusburg with James 
Gavin as Colonel, July 10, 1863, and contained an 
aggi-egate of 719 rank and tile. From Greensburg it 
moved to Suumau's Station; from thence it proceeded 
to Lawrencoburg and thence marched toward Harri- 
son, Ohio. After Morgan's escape into Ohio, the 
regiment returned to Greensburg, and was mustered 
out July 18, 1863. 

One Hundred and Ninth Regiment WO-Days 
Fo/«Mfee;s.— Company F of the One Hundred and 
Thirty-ninth Regiment 100-Days Volunteers was 
from Fayette County. The regiment was organized 
and mustered into service at Indianapolis on the 8th 
of June, 1864, with George Humphrey as Colonel, 
and soon after proceeded to Tennessee. This, with 
the other regiiuents of 100-days men, on arriving at 
Nashville was assigned to duty at different places 
along the lines of the Nashville & Chattanooga, 
Tennessee &, Alabama, and Memphis & Charleston 
Railroads, and until the latter part of August, 1864, 
were kept constantly engaged in guarding those lines 
of comiaunication, used by Gon. Sherman for the 
transportation of supplies to his army then advanc- 
ing on Atlanta. The regiment served beyond the 
period of 100 days, and returned to Indianapolis, 
where it was finally discharged from the service. 

Fayette County sustained an honorable part, and 
claims the full share of the glory on the records of 
the regiments in which its men fought in the war of 
Rebellion. 



LADIES AID SOCIETIES, DONATIONS, ETC. 

Throughout the war, the mothers, wives and sis- 
ters at home were ever earnest in their ministrations 
to the soldiers, supplying those delicacies and com- 
forts needed in the field. The soldiers' families, too, 
were cared for, as may be judged from the great 
relief fund expended. 

The Ladies' Aid Society of Connersville was 
organized at the court house January 13, 1862, and 
the following named officers were elected: Mrs. James 
C. Mcintosh, President; Miss Callie Youse, Vice-Pres- 
ident; Mrs. A. B. Gates, Treasurer; Miss Fannie 
Newkirk, Secretary. 

At various periods during the war the farmers 
throughout the county donated liberally in the way of 
wood. By reference to the files of the press it is 
noticed that up to October 22, 1863, 250 cords had 
been donated. June 20 seventeen loads were brought 
to town by the citizens of Waterloo Township, the 
contributors being Capt. J. S. Hamilton, Joseph Cole, 
Amos G. Smith, William Henry, Harrison McPhai-in, 
W. J. Orr, William Green, Matthew Job, John Roys- 
don, T. L. Hamilton, J. Burris, S. Duseuberry, S. 
L. Hurst, James Morris and Daniel Burris. Those 
in the Lockhart neighborhood subscribed 40 loads; 
those in the Shrader neighborhood brought in 17 
loads; Harrison Township, 51; Connersville Town- 
ship, 52. In December, 1864, upward of 100 loads 
were donated by the farmers in general. 

CLOSING SCENES. 

The following oxti'act from the Times of April 13, 
1865, will give the reader an idea of the manner in 
which the news of the surrender of Gen. Lee and 
his army was received by the people of Connersville: 

'"Such scenes never have and probably never will 
occur again in Connersville as were witnessed last 
Monday. The fall of Richmond was celebrated here 
in a measiu-e, but then the cup of joy was not yet full, 
and the surrender of Lee and his army remained to 
assure our people of the final triumph of the glorious 
old Ai-my of the Potomac, and to make "assurance 
doubly sure" that the Rebellion had received its 
death blow. Early on Monday morning the glad 
news of that great event was borne us on the telegraph 
wires, and our pen cannot portray the joy with which 
our citizens received the news that the army which 
for four years had given the Rebellion all its vitality, 
was among the things of the past, Demoralized, 
battered and broken it hadjbeen. but our fondest hopes 
were consummated when the bleeding remnant of the 
Army of northern Virginia laid down its arms at the feet 
of that glorious hero, U. S. Grant. Upon the receipt 
of the news the first notes of rejoicing rang forth 
from the church bells, which had but the day before 



HISTORY OP PAYETTE COUNTY. 



135 



called their congregations to peaceful worship; to 
thoae chimes were soon added those of the court 
house bell and all other bells, both large and small, 
in the town, and the clamor had reached its climax 
when guns and anvils joined in the chorus. The stores 
were closed, everyday avocations were abandoned in- 
stantly, and soon the whole population of the city 
were jammed into Monroe Street. Then who can de- 
scribe the scene that followed and continued until far 
into the night? Not a countenance but bore a smile. 
Shouts upon shouts rent the air amid the shaking of 
hands and frantic embraces. The people were wild 
with joy. Col. Nelson Trusler arrived from Indian- 
apolis in the evening, and in response to the call 
of his fellow-citizens made a short speech which a{)tly 
illustrated the condition of tho people. He said 
he left Indianapolis that morning because everybody 
was drunk, and ho wanted to go to some place where 
he could find sober folks; they captured and detained 
him awhile at Cambridge City, but there he found the 



citizens drunker than they were at Indianapolis; 

Last Sunday was a glorious epoch, and if it wore not 
a day for which all other days wore made, yet it was 
a day made for generations, and our children will 
hereafter hold it in grateful remembrance so long as 
the Nation shall survive." 

The Times of April 10, 1865, referring to the as- 
sassination of President Abraham Lincoln, re- 
marked: 

"Ceremonies appropriate of the funeral of the 
President of tho United States were held in all the 
churches of Connorsville that are regularly open for 
worship, yesterday. The stillness and solemnity of 
the Sabbath prevailed throughout the town. The 
business houses were closed the entire day, and 
upon all were the emblems of mourning. The court 
house and many private residences were also draped 
in mourning. Such a scene has never before been 
witnessed in Connersville." 



CHAPTER XVII. 



THE CITY OF CONNERSVILLE. 

LOCATION AND ORIGIN— THE EARLY VILLAGE— INDEPENDENCE DAY, 1831— THE STATUS OF CONNERSVILLE IN 
183.3— THE SUCCEEDING DECADE— REMINISCENCES— THE TOWN IN 1858-69— STREETS— THE CITY HALL— THE 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH BUILDING (FORMERLY OPERA IIOUSEj-THE ANDRE OPERA HOUSE.— GRAVE- 
YARDS AND CEMETERY'— CONNERSVILLE A CITY— GROWTH AND PROGRESS— WATER WORKi^J- FIRE DEPART- 
*MENT— BANKS— INDUSTRIES— SCHOOLS— CHURCHES— SOCIETIES. 



N 



CONNERSVILLE is beautifully situated on the 
west bank of the West Fork of Whitewater 
River, occupying a natural terrace to the streams and 
river bottoms. Its western and southwestern limits 
are fringed by a range of hills, towering, perhaps, 
100 feet above the valley, and whose summits are 
crowned here and there with antique and more mod- 
ern suburban homes, from which is presented a most 
pleasing view of the city and surrounding country. 
The city is located near the center of the county, and 
is distant by rail 07.2 miles a little south of east from 
Indianapolis, and 57.1 miles northwest of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, lying in latitude 39^ 30' north, and longitude 
7° 54' west. 

The city was laid out in March, 1813, for John 
Conner, though the original proprietor of the land 
on which the original plat was made, as shown by a 
transcript of the original entry book, was A. Tharp, 
who entered the northeast quarter of Section 25, 
Town 14, Range 12 east, Ajiril 4, 1812. The origi- 
nal plat comprised only sixty-two lots, which were 
bounded on the west by Monroe Street, on the east 



by Water Street, and extended from a little beyond 
Head Street on the north to a little beyond High 
Street on the south. The place was laid ont in 
Franklin County and the plat there recorded, which 
it seems from the records was not transcribed on tho 
records of Fayette County until in Oetoljer, 1841. 
Attached to the plat is tho following descriptive head- 
ing and certificate: 

Part of town of Connersville first laid off by John Con- 
nor. Laid out on the west branch of W^liitewater, on the 
north side of the river, on part of the northeast quarter of 
Section 25, Town 14, Ranse 13 east, Second Principal Merid- 
ian; course of street running up and- down tho river and 
north 2.^0 east, commenciufr at the lower end of the town, 
and the other north dTP west, extending from the river, and 
all of them four poles wide; tlie alleys are one pole wide. 
The public grounds contain two blocks or four lots. Tlie lots 
are five poles front and two poles bacli, each containing fifty 
square perches of ground, and laid down by a scale of ten 
poles to the inch by me, Knoch McCarty. 

March 4, 1813. 

Ini)i.\na Tekiutoky I 
Fu.vNKi.iN County \"' 

On tlie 1st of Oclobei-, ISKt, personally came before me, 
Benjamin Smith, a .Justice of the Peace in and for the county 
aforesaid, John Conner, and saith on oath that the within 



136 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



plat is a true representation of the within described town of 
Connersville, and further saith not. 

Benjamin Smith, Justice of the Peace. 

Early additions to the town were made as follows: 
In 1817 by Joshua Harlan, embracing lots extending 
above Boundary (now Second) Street, east of Market 
and south of the alley above Head (now Sixth) Street; 
in 1818 by Joshua Harlan, embracing lots v^est of 
Market Street to Tanner, south of Madison, and to 
one street farther west north of Madison, extending 
from Boundary along Market to an alley between 
Harrison and Head Streets, the northern boundary of 
these lots consisting of a line from said alley on the 
south to an alley on the north between Madison and 
Harrison Streets; in 1819 by Joshua Harlan, embrac- 
ing lots south of Boundary Street; in 1818 by Dale; 
in 1819 by Jonathan McCarty; in 1819 by John 
Conner. 

The public square, comprising the ground on 
which are now located the court house and city hall, 
bounded by Central Avenue, Market, Court and 
Fourth Streets, was a part of the Harlan plat of addi- 
tions to the town. 

Mr. Conner, the proprietor of the original plat of 
the town, some time between the years 1804 and 
1S08 had established a trading-post at this point 
with the Indians. Hence the name Connersville. 

THE EARLY VILLAGE. 

That the growth of the village was slow during 
the first few years of its existence is evident from the 
following, the authority for which is the late Dr. 
Philip Mason: 

"I came to the valley of the Whitewater in the 
spring of 1816, and early in the summer of that year 
I visited Connersville. A small tract of land had 
been laid off by John Conner into town lots, which 
lay along the river bank on Water Street and along 
Main Street, and a few log-cabins had been erected. 
The most of the land which comprises the present 
site of the town was then a dense forest. lu travel- 
ing up the river to the place there was now and then 
a small opening to be' seen, with an inhabited log- 
cabin on it. John Conner, after whom the town is 
named, and who owned the laud on which it stands, 
had built a mill just above the town, and not far 
above the site of the present mill now owned by A. 
B. Conwell. The town had one small retail store." 

Joshua Harlan has been credited with having kept 
the first store in Connersville. This, of course, is 
excepting the trading- post of Conner, at which a 
bartering with the Indians had been carried on for 
years. The first business house built on the town 
plat is said to have been a log building which stood 
on the west side of Main (now Eastern Avenue) Street, 
on or near the corner of the alley on the site of the 



present dwelling-house of the widow of William 
Bunnell. It was in this house that Mr. Harlan kept 
the store. He is remembered as keeping a store in 
that house or vicinity in the summer of 1815, and it 
is not unlikely that it was the Harlan store, to which 
reference is made in 1816 by Dr. Mason. Judge 
Harlan, as he was styled, having served as a Judge 
under Territorial Government, was a native of Ches- 
ter County, Penn., born in 1763. In 1793 he settled 
in Kentucky and there lived until 1810, when he 
immigrated to Brookville, and in 1813 to the site of 
Connersville. He has been described as a tall man, 
fully six feet two inches. He was a man of strong 
and clear mind. In about 1820 he built a brick 
house on the northea.st corner of what is now Eastern 
Avenue and Fifth Street — the site of the "Buckley 
House " — which is, in fact, the old house enlarged 
and remodeled. In this building Judge Harlan kept 
one of "ye olden time inns" for a number of years. 
His death occurred at Connersville, September 15, 
1827. 

In 1817 the Claypool brothers, Newton and Solo- 
mon, young unmarried men, came to the village, and 
perhaps for a time carried on a little bartering trade 
with the Indians and the few white settlers. Solo- 
mon soon engaged in farming, and Newton embarked 
in the tavern business. The late Hon. Oliver H. 
Smith, in alluding to Mr. Clayjwol as a landlord, 
said: " When I arrived at Connersville in May, 1820, 
I stopped at the hotel of Newton Claypool. He was 
about my age. I had been licensed to practice in 
March before, and was looking for a location. My 
last dollar had escaped from the top of my pocket. 
Breakfast over, I met Mr. Claypool in the bar room; 
as we met I remarked, ' Look at me and see whether 
you will risk me for my board a year.' ' Who are 
you? Where did you come from? What is your 
trade and how do you expect to pay for your board?' 
'My name is Smith; I am from Lawrenceburg; I am 
a young lawyer, and I expect to pay you from my 
practice.' 'Rather a bad chance, but I will risk 
you' Mr. Smith remarked that at the time it was the 
only hotel in the village. (The board was paid.) 

From an inscription on a tombstone in the ceme- 
tery at Connersville it appears that the Claypools 
were Virginians; that they immigrated with their 
father, Abraham Claypool, to the Sciota Valley, Ohio, 
in 1798, thence in 1808 to Clermont County, in 
the same State, and thence to Connersville in 1817. 

Silas Ford, from Virginia, came to the village in 
1817. He was by trade a wheelwright, which he fol- 
lowed for a time here and subsequently on William's 
Creek. He also kept for a time a house of entertain- 
ment. 

Joseph Nelson, a young man from Pennsylvania, 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



137 



and by trade a saddler, settled at Gonnersville in 
1819, and at once opened a saddler shop, the first in 
the place. 

Arthur Dickson had settled here prior to this 
date, and was engaged in merchandising. 

In 1819 Benjamin Berry was having erected for his 
dwelling-house the building on the northwest corner 
of Eastern Avenue and Fifth Street, and so soon as 
completed Austin Bishop opened a store in one end of 
it. Absalom Burkham built the Heineman corner. 
Among the early built brick houses of the village 
which were in process of construction that year and 
the year following were the hotel building of Joshua 
Harlan, heretofore designated; the house where 
Charles Mount resides, by Absalom Burkham; thehouse 
on the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Fourth 
Street; the old United States Hotel building, which 
stood on Central Avenue opposite the court house; 
and the house of George Reed, next south to the 
building described, on the corner opposite " Huston 
House." 

Jonathan John, from Kentucky, settled in 1816 on 
the site of the McFarlan residence, on the western 
border of the city. The father of Amos R. Edwards) 
from Pennsylvania, settled in Gonnersville in 1817; 
and in 1819 Douglas Burton and family, coming from 
Kentucky here, though previously having emigrated 
from South Carolina. 

At this period those engaged in keeping tavern or 
merchandising were required to make application for 
a license for the same. In 1819 the County Com- 
missioners granted a tavern license to Newton Clay- 
pool and George Reed, and in 1820 to Joshua Harlan 
and Archibald Reed. The rate charged per annum 
was $10. 

In the spring of 1821 Connersville from a busi- 
ness standpoint made about the following exhibit: 
Arthur Dixon kept a dry goods store on Main Street 
one door south of the Heineman corner. Austin Bishop 
had a grocery on the opposite corner, where the Mur- 
phy Bros, are now following the same business. 
Joshua Harlan was keeping a tavern on the present 
site of the "Buckley House." John Sample, Sr. , had 
an inn on the Heineman corner. Newton Claypool 
kept a house of entertainment on the east side of 
Main Street on the south corner of the alley. Archi- 
bald Reed a similar house (tavern) in the building 
now occupied by J. Bailey on the west side of Cen- 
tral Avenue. Absalom Berkham, another inn-keeperi 
held forth in the building where Charles Mount now 
resides, on the east side of Central Avenue. Silas 
Ford, the father of Gayle, kept hotel on the site of 
the present residence of the widow of William Bun- 
nell, on the west side of Eastern Avenue, on the south 
corner of the alley. Bartholomew McCleary was carry- 



ing on a store on the southeast corner of Monroe and 
Harrison Streets. Barnet and Jonas Levi had a jew- 
elry store on the east side of Monroe Street between 
Madison and Harrison Streets. A Mr. Bouton carried 
on a cooper-shop on about the site of the Widow 
George Scott's residence. Just south of Bailey's store 
was located the saddle-shop of Joseph Nelson. Where 
the First National Bank now is was the blacksmith- 
shop of Martin Remington. One Rankin was the 
hatter, and carried on the business in a house situated 
nearly opposite the Claypool tavern. William W. 
Wick was keeping the old United States Tavern. 
David Beck was a tailor and held forth on Monroe 
Street, where yet some of his descendants reside. 
Jacob Vandegrift carried on a blacksmith-shop. 

William Curry was another blacksmith, whose 
shop was situated on the east side alley on north 
side of Harrison Street. William Burnett and Julius 
Whitmer were carpenters, located, the former, where 
the Presbyterian Church now is. John D. Stewart, 
who that spring (1821) with family emigrated from 
Pennsylvania, erected a house for a shoe shop on the 
corner of Harrison and Monroe Streets (where the 
Conwell Block now stands). Messrs. Stebbins & Ball 
carried on a pottery at the south end of the village. 
Oliver H. Smith and William W. Wick were the 
resident attorneys, and Dr. Joseph MoflStt the phy- 
sician. The latter's office was located about where 
the dry goods store of Theodore Griffis now is. John 
Conner had in full blast a saw and grist-mill and dis- 
tillery, and was also interested in other branches of 
business. A. B. Conwell was just preparing his 
tanyard for business. Mr.Rees had a tannery located 
on Tanner Street, west side, not far from the end of 
the street. Asher Cox, Edmund I. Kidd and Harvey 
Bates had in operation a carding and fulling machine 
on the west side of the river, at the end of Fourth 
Street. At this time there was no church building 
or schoolhouse in the village, yet the circuit preach- 
ers of the Methodist Episcopal Church visited the 
place occasionally. 

Parties granted license to vend merchandise or 
keep tavern in the village from 1821 to 1830, are the 
following-named : 

Thomas Murphy (tavern) 1821; Moses Cox (tavern) 
1821; Archibald Reed (tavern) 1824; (Joshua Har- 
lan, (tavern) 1824; Newton Claypool (tavern) 1824; 
W. & S. Walton (merchandise); George Frybarger 
(merchandise) 1824; Abraham W. Harris (retail 
spiritous liquor) 1824; Andrew Wallace (tavern) 
1824; John Mcintosh, 1824; John Sample (tavern) 
1824;''^Martin M. Ray (tavern) 1824; John Allen, Jr., 
(tavern) 1824; Joshua Mcintosh (merchandise) 1825; 
A. Clark & Co. (merchandise) 182G; Robert Swift 
merchandise) 1826; Andrew Wallace (merchandise), 



138 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



1826; Hugh Wooster (merchandise) 1826; Abraham 
Bays (tavern) 1826; Samuel Walton (merchandise) 
1826; Meredith Hehn (merchandise) 1826; William 
Walton (merchandise) 1827; Amzi Clark & Theodore 
R. Lewis (merchandise) 1828; Daniel Hankins & 
James Mount (merchandising) 1828; Meredith Helm 
(merchandise) 1829; Abner Smith (grocery and spirit- 
ous liquor) 1829; Robert Cox (merchandise) 1829; 
Amos Conklin (merchandise) 1829; Benjamin Johns 
(grocery and spirituous liquor) 1S29; Charles Shipley 
(merchandise) 1829; John Picket (merchandise) 
1829. 

Many of these licenses were renewed from year 
to year for quite a period. 

Among other business interests of the village up 
to 1830 were the tin, sheet-iron and copper manu- 
factory of J. Dawson. Messrs. Hull & Fearis were 
saddlers; John Willey, meat-market; Merrifield & 
Miller, hatters; later the firm was R. & R. Merrifield. 
Christian Beck was the gunsmith. H. Goodlander 
was another of the jewelers. A. Van Vleet for a 
time carried on weaving, and some time later Hiram 
Bundy was likewise engaged in the weaving business. 
An oil-mill was operated by either John Perin or 
Lyman Carpenter; A. Conklin & W. H. Coombs were 
carrying on a chair factory. Thomas Rutter was a 
hatter and one Frisbee a tanner. The Merrifield hat 
factory was located on Monroe Street, three doors 
north of the Connersville Hotel; George W. Parks, 
a blacksmith; George W. Reed was a tailor; Nicholas 
Baker a shoe-maker. J. Hart carried on a tin-shop. 
Silas Ford was manufacturing spinning-wheels. Rob- 
ert GrifSs was in the saddlery and harness trade. 
John McCoy was another dealer in hats, and on the 
north end of Monroe Street was situated the factory 
of Isaac Wood, who was engaged in making spinning 
wheels. 

Up until 1830 there was but one newspaper pub- 
lished in the village, the Fayette Observer. In 1824 
was erected a house of worship by the Methodists, 
the first and only church edifice in the place durino- 
the decade closing with 1830. The seminary build- 
ing was not erected until 1828-29, it being the first 
regular school building in the village. 

John Sample was Postmaster in 1826 and re- 
quested "all letters and packages to be sent in the 
mail to be in the office half an hour before the mails 
closed." That summer the arrival and departure of 
the mails from the postoffice in Connersville were: 
Eastern mail arrives on Thursdays 1 1 o'clock A. M. 
and departs west in half an hour. Western mail 
arrives on Tuesdays 11 o'clock A. M. and departs 
east at 12 o'clock M. Southern mail arrives on Fri- 
days at 9 o'clock A. M.jand departs north at 10 o'clock 
A. M. 



As early as 1820 there was a circulating library 
in the village, and in November, 1825, was opened 
to the public the Fayette County Library. One year 
later it contained 151 select volumes and was soon to 
be augumented by about 125 volumes. It was under 
the management of a Board of Trustees, of which 
Daniel Rench was Secretary. The library was open 
every Saturday afternoon from 1 to 6 o'clock. The 
Secretary gave notice in the Observer that " there are 
volumes in the library to suit the taste and inquir- 
ies of all. The citizens, we hope, will not be slow in 
availing themselves of its great advantages, which may 
be had for 50 cents a year. All citizens over sixteen 
years may draw books, by giving bond and security 
for damages, etc. The rules governing drawers are 
public in the library room.'' 

Over the date of June 17, 1826, in a copy of the 
Observer, and over the signatures of Kidd & Cox 
appeared the following advertisement: "Wool Card- 
ing — The undersigned return their grateful acknowl- 
edgments for the liberal support they have heretofore- 
received, and now inform the public that their 
machines are in complete operation, and ready to 
receive wool, which they will card in the best manner, 
and on the shortest notice. 

" Every exertion will be made to accommodate 
persons living at a distance. The following articles 
of produce will be received in payment: wool, sugar, 
linen, beeswax, flax, wheat, tallow, etc." 

In the Observer under date of February, 1830, J. 
M. Ray, as agent, advertised that ' ' on May 26 would 
be offered for sale Conner's grist-mill, saw-mill, dis- 
tillery and mill farm adjoining Connersville, the 
farm below town, the tavern and store stands oppo- 
site the court house in said town and some out-lots 
in the vicinity. 

" Mill farm about eighty acres cleared land under 
good fence. The mills and distillery are in fine oper- 
ation, and the tavern stand occupied by Capt. Sam- 
ple, and the store room by Messrs. Hankins & Mount. 
* * The whole property is now under rent at 
$600 per annum, cash. * *" 

This notice was to be sent to the Ohio State Jour- 
nal at Columbus, Ohio, and to the Commentator at 
Frankfort, Ky., for publication. 

March 1, 1830, the following notice was issued 
under the title of " Regimental Orders:" 

Captains commanrling companies ia tlie Eleventh Reg- 
iment of the Indiana Jlilitia, are hereby ordered to attend the 
following musters with their subaltern ofBcers, First Sar- 
geants and musicians, at the following times and places, 
to wit: Drill muster, at the town of Connersville, on the 26th 
and 87th of May next; battalion muster at the house of N. 
McClure on the 38th day of May next, at the house of 
Amos G. Pumphrey on the 39th of May next, and regimental 
muster at Connersville, on the 3d day of October next, armed 
and equipped as the law directs, at 9 o'clock on each day. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



139 



Court of Assessment Id Connersville on the first Monday of 
November, and Court of Appeals on the first Monday of next, 
at the house of Archibald Reid. 

William Caldwell, Colonel, 
Commanding Eleventh Regiment, I. M. 

Having thus far given in a general way a glance 
of the village up to 1S30, we will return to the begin- 
ning of the decade, when it may be said Connersville 
began to grow, and consider briefly the status of 
things then with the figuring characters. 

Then resided here auch men as Joshua Harlan, 
Arthur Dixon, Newton Claypool, John Sample, Jona- 
than MoCarty, James M. Ray, Oliver H. Smith, Will- 
iam W. Wick, Jonathan John, Samuel C. Sample, 
George Frybarger, A. B. Conwell, and some lateri 
Marks Crume, Martin M. Ray, Samuel W. Parker, 
Caleb B. Smith and Daniel Hankins — future Legis- 
lators and Senators, a Judge, members of Congress, 
a United States Senator, a Cabinet officer, a Govern- 
or and business men of great capacity. In the 
hands of such men it is no wonder that the village 
became progressive and interesting. An anecdote 
will "serve to illustrate the peculiar talents of the 
taverns heretofore referredto. An old Englishman, 
by the name of John Knipe, was asked by a traveler 
who kept the best hotel. " We'el, hif thee wants good 
grub, go to Samples; hif thee wants thy 'oss we'll 
cared, go to Claypool's; and hif thee wants gude 
whisky, thee will better stop at 'Arlans." 

It is only our purpose here to refer briefly to a 
few of the early business men of the village, who 
figured conspicuously and largely in the greater bus- 
iness interests of Connersville, and whose advent into 
her business circles marked an era in her history, 
leaving men of other vocations for consideration in 
other parts of this volume. 

Of the men in question, Newton Claypool was a 
native of Virginia, where born in 1795, though at an 
early day with his father removed to Ohio, and in 
1817 settled in Connersville. In 1818 he returned 
temporarily to Ohio, and was married to Mary Kerns, 
of Ross County. Rather than one of the early bus- 
iness men of Connersville, Mr. Claypool was a tavern 
keeper until in 1836, when he purchased and re- 
moved to the farm just north of the city limits, upon 
which his son, Austin B. Claypool, now resides. He 
was elected to the Legislature, first in 1825, and to 
the Senate first in 1828, and subsequently served a 
number of years in each branch. 

The late Hon. Oliver H. Smith thus alludes to 
him in this connection : " He was one of the most 
efficient men of the Legislature for many years. His 
greatest forte was in his practical knowledge applied 
to the subject by his strong common sense. For many 
years he was closely identified with the banking bus- 
iness of this community." Another writer thus 



alludes to him : " Luck ^vas not one of Newton Clay- 
pool's words. It was not in his lexicon. He did 
but little on faith either — had his own philosophy, 
both of church and State. He fought all of his ene- 
mies with the same weapon. He was a consistent 
enemy of the Democratic party, through a life longer 
than is usually allotted to a man. It can be said of 
him that he was eminently successful as a financier, 
in earlier life as an economist and producer, as well 
as in after life as a banker. In this latter capacity 
his reputation was brilliant and enviable throughout 
the State." He died at Indianapolis, Ind., May 14, 
1866. 

George Frybarger came to Connersville from the 
city of Dayton, Ohio, in the year 1821, and opened 
a dry goods store. " Like most of the early settlers 
he was fearless and self-reliant, and entered itpon the 
duties of his calling with decided'purposes of useful- 
ness and accumulation. His industry" and energy 
gave him success, and for many years he ranked 
among the foremost merchants and traders of the 
Whitewater Valley. It has been said that, perhaps, 
there was never a man in Connersville who knew the 
business as well as Frybarger, none at least who did 
so much business as he. There can be no doubt but 
the ruling trait and the carefully guarded ambition 
of George Frybarger was honesty. Even to the minut- 
est details of ever raging trade throughout a long 
life of successful mercantile pursuits he adhered in 
theory and in practice to his passion — honesty. The 
charity of Mr. Frybarger was in business, that is, he 
was charitable to those that deserved it. He loaned 
to the unfortunate honest; he gave, too, and encour- 
aged with his advice and credit and means, stimulat- 
ing them to all the demands of success. He had an 
unbounded credit at home and abroad. He always 
kept safely stored in his vaults coin to put against 
his credit. He is said to have been the first man in 
the West in a crisis, well remembered in the commer- 
cial world, to promptly pay his Eastern debts with 
coin stored for the purpose of adversity." From an 
inscription on his tombstone it appears that he was 
born in 1797 and died in 1853. 

A. B. Conwell was born in Delaware in 1796, and 
at the age of fifteen was apprenticed as a tanner, at 
which he served five years. In 1817 he, with a 
brother, walked from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh, 
where they separated, A. B. going to Kentucky, and 
in 1821 he located in Connersville, and began his 
successful career on an acre of ground which he pur- 
chased of John Conner, upon which he put in opera- 
tion a tannery, which business he subsequently aban- 
doned and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was 
for years engaged in the milling business, and erected 
and carried on one of the most extensive flouring- 



140 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



mills in this section of the State. The large mill 
building on North Eastern Avenue is a monument to 
his enterprise. For a number of years pork-packing 
claimed his attention, which business he carried on 
on a large scale. He is the last of the four Romans 
of whom we speak in this connection, who still lives 
as a connecting link between the past and present. 
A man of wonderful natural intellect and judgment, 
he has ever been known for his wise forecast as well 
as for his quiet success in all his business and spec- 
ulations. 

Daniel Hankins settled in ConnersviJle in 1827, 
six years later than Frybarger and Conwell, yet he 
figured in the latter part of the decade of which we 
wi'ite. Col. Hankins, as he was called, was a native 
of the State of New Jersey, born in 1795 and died in 
1860. He commenced as a dry goods merchant in the 
village and continued so throughout an active busi- 
ness life. He was possessed of great activity and 
energy. A writer has given as his great powers, 
"untiring industry, coupled with worthy ambition; 
a restless eager spirit, he was a fretful business man. 
Dull times only conquered him." He engaged exten- 
sively iu speculation, pork and grain receiving his 
attention in large investments. His influence is said 
to have been great because his trade was great. In 
1830 he, with Marks Grume, represented the county 
in the Legislature. His name and power and enterprise 
will not soon perish. In speaking of his death the 
editor of the Times said: "He accumulated a vast 
property. Had a farm of 1,400 acres north of Con- 
nersville, which he superintended while his attention 
was largely engrossed with the extensive mercantile 
trade and speculations in pork and flour. Perhaps no 
man of one county has ever managed as much busi- 
ness, and managed it all as correctly and successfully 
as has Col. Hankins." It has also been stated in 
print that "he was to Connersville what A. T. Stewart 
was to New York — a merchant prince. But few men 
possessed a finer sense of honor, and none surpassed 
him in mercantile integrity." 

INDEPENDENCE DAY, 1831. 

The 4th of July, 1831, was observed by the citi- 
zens of the village and county by a celebration at a 
grove about one-half mile below Connersville. 

The day was ushered in by the firing of cannon. 
A procession was formed in front of the court house, 
led by the military, and marched to the grove, where 
some 3,000 persons had assembled. The Marshals of 
the day were Col. Caldwell and N. McClure, and the 
ofiicers in charge of the exercises were John Hub- 
bell, President; Allen Crisler, Vice-President; Eev. 
William Miller, Chaplain; S. W. Parker, Orator; 
James Ross, reader; prayer was offered by the Chap- 



lain, which was followed by the reading of the Dec- 
laration of Independence; next came a volley from 
the artillery; then music, which was followed by an 
oration; music and firing of the artillery followed, 
which closed the exercises of the morning. An excel- 
lent dinner was served at the grove by Newton Clay- 
pool, where some fourteen toasts were drank. The 
day was fine, though a shower fell just as the exercises 
were closing. In the evening a ball was held at the 
Claypool tavern. 

THE STATUS OF CONNERSVILLE IN 1833. 

In the "Indiana Gazetteer" of 1833 the village of 
Connersville is given a population of 500 inhabitants. 
It comprised seven mercantile stores, one drug store, 
four taverns, had four physicians, four lawyers and 
two printing offices, besides mechanics of all kinds. 

On Saturday, April 20, of the above year, was pub- 
lished in the Indiana Sentinel, edited by C. B. Smith 
and M. R. Hull, under the title "Our Town" the 
following: 

"This place is truly in a flourishing condition. 
The citizens are quite as industrious as any others 
in the great West; and complete marks of their per- 
severing habits are displayed on every street. New 
houses are in successive building; and the hum and 
buzz of business is made to resound in the distant 
valley, and to the approaching traveler bespeaks the 
industry of mechanics. Our merchants are receiving 
daily thousands of dollars worth of goods. The 
spring sales progress with much vigor, which makes 
the active salesman skip the counter with a business- 
like spirit. Our physicians (poor fellows) have but 
little to do; they droop their heads beneath the influ- 
ence of general health. Our streets present a lively 
picture of enterprise and industry. While other 
presses are falling out with their subscribers, and 
placing their names on the "black list," the Sentinel 
still holds an undiminished patronage, and its con- 
ductors continue, daily, to place good names on their 
white list. Ail this prosperity we owe, in a great 
measure, to the farmers of Indiana — 'the staff of life.' 
But a few years of such prosperity, and Connersville 
will become the most flourishing village in the West- 
ern country." 

THE SUCCEEDING DECADE. 

During the following ten years the village kept 
on in the even tenor of its way, making no particular 
stir in the way of industries, yet increasing gradually 
in numbers and business and quietly laying the foun- 
dation upon which was to be built a city that occupies 
a prominent place in the sisterhood of eastern Indi- 
ana cities. 

The event of the decade was the passage of the 
great Internal Improvement Bill for the State of In- 




EngtyCn-VVilUciTS ABro NY 




HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



143 



diana, at the head of which stood the Whitewater 
Valley Canal Bill, which was to mark an era in the 
history of all villages and towns along its proposed 
path. The date of the passage of this bill was Jan- 
uary 16, 1836, the news of which was received at 
Connersville on Monday, the 18th inst., and as soon 
as twilight came on, the village, with scarcely the ex- 
ception of a building, was in a brilliant blaze of il- 
lumination. The coi;rt house was lighted up from 
the basement into the steeple. 

About sundown the cannon of the village was 
hauled out to the canal line and six guns fired — one 
in honor of the Governor, one to the Senator and one 
to each of the Representatives of the county in the 
General Assembly and one to the Whitewater Valley 
Canal. 

In the eveniner a meeting was held at the court 
house which was addressed by Hon. O. H. Smith and 
Samuel W. Parker. A number of toasts were drank, 
after which the whole assembly repaired to the river 
bank east of the village, which was yet brilliantly 
lighted up with a number of bon-iires and under the 
illumination of the buildings. About 9 o'clock an 
accident occurred by the premature explosion of a 
piece of artillery, by which four young men were ter- 
ribly maimed and wounded. Alexander Saxon had 
one arm torn off and the other so badly wounded that 
both were immediately amputated above the elbow. 
His eyes were completely blown out of his head and 
his death resulted the next morning. Joseph Clark 
had his right arm blown off, and Abiather Williams 
and William Worster were severely burnt. 

The canal was completed to Connersville in June, 
1845, and the first boat to reach the village was the 
"Patriot," commanded by Capt. Gayle Ford, which 
arrived in the fall of that year. 

The imports and exports on the canal for the week 
ending November 20, 1845 (from the village) were as 
follows: 

Exports. Imports. 

Wheat, number of bushels 1,506 

Cider, barrels 13 

Industries (pounds). 6,010 8,993 

Merchandise (pounds) 8,189 

Salt and castings (pounds) 150 

Lumber (feet) 700 

An effort for the incorporation of the village 
seems to have been made in 1834. but it must have 
proven a failure, as the act of the Legislature incor- 
porating Connersville was approved February 15, 
1841, by which act Joshua Mcintosh, Aquila Hattan, 
George Frybarger, Robert Swift and John Noble were 
appointed Trustees of the "town of Connersville." 

BEMINISCENOES. 

Over the signature of "Rambler," in the county 
press of 1870 appeared the following reminiscences 



of the village, which will undoubtedly be of interest 
to some, and serve to keep up the chain of the early 
history of Connersville: 

" While standing in the rear of the school build- 
ing, taking a view of the landscape there presented, 
the past comes in view to the memory, and many in- 
cidents of schoolboy days comes fresh to my mind 
that occurred forty years ago, and changes are visible 
at every turn. 

" The road leading east from town was then on 
the high ground north of Conwell's Mill, then down 
by the old saw-mill directly east, crossing the river 
a short distance below the railroad bridge, and 
intersecting the present road at the old McCann 
homestead. * * * * * * * 

" The first grist-mill in the county was erected by 
John Conner, below the house named, and about 300 
yards east of the present mill (or structure). Conner 
sold the mill to DeCamp, and he to Conwell, who ran 
the same until it was worn out. That old mill 
was familiar to all the pioneers for many miles 
around. Going to mill was a task in those days, and 
often a trip of forty or fifty miles on horseback. 
Each grist was numbered, and frequently was several 
days awaiting its turn, while a number of the cus- 
tomers would be in camp close by. The Saturdays of 
our boyhood days were spent in ramblings, and as a 
guest of Lafe Conwell, our schoolmate at that time, 
that old mill was examined with boyish curiosity, and 
its mysteries solved. In after years, when there with 
grists, we wore more interested in seeing the miller 
manipulate the toll dish. The honesty, of the miller 
is proverbial, but they were sometimes absent-mind- 
ed, and would repeat the operation of taking toll, 
and have been known to forget that important pro- 
ceeding, as I have received, as the product of grist, a 
range of from twenty eight pounds to forty-six 
pounds of flour to each bushel of wheat at that same 
old mill. 

" Mr. Conwell had a lanyard not far from the 
grist-mill, and for a while furnished quite an object 
of interest to the boys, as well as the ' children of 
larger growth ' that frequented the place. A. pet bear 
was utilized, and labored faithfully by working a 
tread- mill, thereby pumping water to fill the vats. 
These incidents may not interest the youth of the 
present day, or the stranger who may be taking a 
view of the surroundings, as all traces of the old 
grist-mill, the saw-mill, the tan-yard, the bridge 
across the race and the ford are gone, but there are 
some persons left iu the vicinity with whom the state- 
ment will call up pleasant memories. 

" The incidents of early days, as related by the 
original pioneers, always created a lively interest, and 
often a happy delight. I remember of hearing old 



144 



HISTOKY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Aleck Hamilton tell about a sneaking, thieving In- 
dian who was regarded as a nuisance, and while out 
hunting on the hill northwest of town one day he got 
sight of the fellow and tracked him into a pond in 
the vicinity of Cal. Burton's. But he never could 
find any tracks whither the Indian came out, and 
from the comical expression as he finished his story, 
we inferred that he helped the Indian to make those 
tracks, as last seen. 

" Col. Frybarger can tell about having witnessed 
a savage encounter with a wolf by several men and 
dogs, and the wolf was killed on the street, about 
opposite Frank Dale's property. That happened 
about the year 1827 or 1828. 

"I have heard Jonathan John, Sr. , tell about 
when he came to this county, discouraged and 
heart sick, they remained in camp for three weeks 
without unloading their movables, intending day 
after day to start back to old Kentucky. Finally 
they became more reconciled, and settled on the hill 
northwest of town, and never had cause to regret the 
choice. The excellent spring at the foot of the hill 
below the John's house was the inducement to create 
the famous camping ground in the vicinity, and one 
of the principal Indian trails leading to the north- 
west passed by there and in the direction of Harrie- 
burg. The principal trail from Cincinnati and 
Brookville came up the east fork from Brookville to 
Fairfield, then up Ellis Creek, through by Everton, 
and crossed the river at the ford south of town, and 
on as stated. Those Indian trails were used by the 
early settlers, and improved for wagon roads until 
the lands were surveyed and enclosed. The rising gen- 
eration can form but little idea of the unbroken for- 
est, especially in the low lands, where it was almost 
impenetrable, so thick were the timber, bushes and 
vines. There was an important trail up the valley 
with a camping ground on the Larkin Sims place, 
near the excellent spring of water there. 

" I remember when we boys watched down street 
for the stage coach coming as evening approached, 
and listened for the notes of the bugle horn. Some- 
times we would go down and meet the coach at the 
ford of the river opposite where Root's foundry now 
stands, and persuade the driver to let us get up with 
him to ride into town. He was a good fellow, and 
how we envied him, and wished we were big enough 
to drive stage, as he sat so proudly on his seat. The 
driver prepared for a sensation after he pulled up out 
of the river and 'rested his team, then let them up 
lively as he came across the commons, turned into 
the main street about 'where Jimmie Mount's corner 
is, then dashed up street and'halted at the postoffice, 
delivered the mail to Major Tate, at the Recorder's 
office, which served a double" purpose, as it stood on 



the southeast corner of the court house yard, and 
fronted close on the street. (It cost 25 cents post- 
age on a letter then.) The next point was across to 
the old tavern, kept by Tom Hamilton, which was 
burned down about twenty years ago, and is now the 
Huston Block. 

" The stage route passed Cincinnati, then left the 
main road at the cross roads, over by Swift's and 
Orr's, and came in by old Sol Claypool's, then across 
the strip of woods in the river bottom to the ford, as 
stated. The bridge across the river beiag built where 
it now stands, caused the short route by Claypool's 
to be abandoned. That was about the year 1839 or 
1840, being forty years ago. Alas I what changes in 
many ways during the comparatively short period. 
There was a woolen factory and a saw-mill on the 
edge of the river, east side, just across from Andy 
Turner's residence. The power was supplied by a 
mill dam and feeder race. The mill burned down, 
and the floods have removed every vestige in sight of 
this once important improvement, and pride of the 
owner, except, perhaps, a few timbers or brush wood 
that show where the dam was located. The property 
was owned by Asher Cox, who is yet alive, and lives 
with his son-in-law near Indianapolis. He can tell 
many incidents in connection with the old mill, which 
eventually broke him up financially, and caused him 
to 'go West and grow up' again. The old man is 
remarkably lively and full of vim; is rather small of 
stature, quite grey, and expects to meet some of his 
old friends at the next Fayette County fair. 

" I remember what a strife it was to locate the 
site for the bridge across the river. Col. Hankins 
and others wanted it placed at the end of Third 
Street, that faces out from the Rushville road. Uncle 
Abe Conwell offered extra inducements for the pres- 
ent location. The strife was intense and bitter feel- 
ing engendered. Silas Woodcock, that good and ven- 
erable old gentleman we all remember so well, built 
the bridge, which was a marvel of immensity to us 
boys, and we wondered how the old man could get the 
timbers so straight, with his head to one side as 
caused by affliction." 

THE TOWN, 1858-59. 

From a business standpoint, Connersville made 
the following exhibit in 1858-59, as shown by a State 
compilation published at that time: 

Apert, A., wagon-maker. 

Applegate, W. P. & A., carriage manufacturers. 

Bailey, J. L., dry goods. 

Barnard & Hall, carpenters and joiners. 

Bateman & Gates, staple and fancy dry goods. 

Beck & Bros., merchant tailors. 

Brown, J., clothier. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



145 



Bunnell, J., livery stable. 

Bunnell, W., livery stable. 

Burk, N. H. , dry goods and grocery. 

Burton, T. , merchant tailor. 

Durham, K. , proprietor Bates House. 

Conwoll, A. B. & Sons, proprietors Conwell 
Mills. 

Clark, J. H., town officer. 

Campbell, G. W. , merchant tailor. 

Cassady, J., saddler and harness-maker. (Town 
officer.) 

Cassell Bros., boots and shoes. 

Claypool, dry goods, etc. 

Claypool, A. J. & Co., dr}' goods, etc. 

Claypool, B. F., attorney at law. 

Collins, E., surgeon dentist. 

Compton, Lizzie, milliner. 

Dawson, D. H., County Coroner. 

Cooly, cabinet ware-rooms. 

Erwin, civil engineer and surveyor. 

Edwards, C, County Clerk. 

Fearis, G. L. , saddler and harness-maker. 

Felton & Smith, grocery. 

Fryburger, W. W. & C. , staple and fancy dry 
goods. 

Gregg, V. H., physician and surgeon. 

Green, William H., publisher and editor Conners- 
ville Times. 

Gates, Bateman, dry goods. 

Greer, W. H., proprietor Scofield House. 

Goodlander, H., jeweler. 

Huston, J. & W., millers. _ 

Hack, Anthony, meat market. 

Henry, R. B., clergyman. 

Hawkins & Griffis, dry goods and grocery dealers. 

Hall, D. D. , physician and surgeon. 

Hall, D. H., physician and surgeon. 

Johnson, boot and shoe dealer. 

Johnson, A. H. & Co., dealers in agricultural im- 
plements. 

Justice, J., drugs, books, stationery, etc. 

James, W. W., marble worker. 

Kunphlon, Augustus, merchant tailor. 

Lewis, Josephine, milliner. 

Line, A. J., blacksmith. 

McLain, John, Justice of the Peace. 

Marks, Robert, blacksmith. 

Mullikin, J., town officer. 

Minor, A. S., saddler and harness-maker. 

Morrow & Mason, hat and cap dealers. 

McFarlan, J. B., carriage manufacturer. 

Morehouse & Youse, manufacturers and dealers in 
carriages, buggies, wagons, etc. 

Mullikin, J. & E., manufacturers of agricultural 
implements. 



Mcintosh, James C, attorney at law. 
McCleary, William, Coiinty Sheriff. 
Morris, Han-y, County Surveyor. 
Marshall, Joseph, attorney at law. 
Morris, B. F., clergyman. 
Newkirk, W. & Co., hardware dealers. 
Parry, L. D., town officer. 
Powell, I., auctioneer. 
Pelan, William, clergyman. 
Parker, Samuel W., attorney at law. 
Pumphrey, B. M., miller. 
Payne, Dr., physician and surgeon. 
Pumphrey, N. R. , proprietor Connersville Hotel. 
Pepper, W. J., physician and surgeon. 
Rawls & Morrison, drugs. 

Roots, P. H. & F. M., manufacturers of woolon 
goods. 

Rhodes, J. K., County Recorder. 

Scott, James, proprietor livery stable. 

Stewart, William, clergyman. 

Shumate, H., dry goods and grocery. 

Smith, W. M., town officer. 

Smith & Cooper, grocery. 

Smith, J. W., paper-hanger and painter. 

Reid, John S. , Judge Court of Common Pleas. 

Tate, W. A. H. , Justice of the Peace. 

Tate, J. F., County Treasurer. 

Thistlewait, saddler and harness-maker. 

Thomas, S. B., furniture. 

Taylor, W. W., physician and surgeon. 

Trusler, Nelson, attorney at law. 

Trusler, Gilbert, attorney at law. 

Vance, Elisha, attorney at law. 

Vance, Samuel W., physician and surgeon. 

Victor, J. , grocer. 

Wallace, R. J., carriage-maker. 

White, T. J., editor Connersville Telegraph. 

Wilson & Co., grocery, bakery and confectionary. 

Wilson, J. S., blacksmith. 

Wood, John, blacksmith. 

Youse, J. F. & Co., stoves and tinware. 

Zellar, Ignatus, jeweler. 

STREETS. 

In May, 1866, the names of the streets of Con- 
nersville were changed in accordance with the fol- 
lowing: 

Main, to Eastern Avenue; Monroe, to Central Ave- 
nue; Tanner, to Western Avenue; Short, to Fii'st; Bal- 
timore and Boundary, to Second; High, to Third; 
Madison, to Fourth; Harrison, to Fifth; Head, to 
Sixth; Maple, to Seventh, and Mill to Eighth. 

THE CITY HALL. 

In June, 1848, the Commissioners of the county 
granted privilege to the Trustees of the town to erect 



146 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



on the west part of the public square a public build- 
ing three stories high, to be occupied — the first story 
for a town hall and engine house; the second and 
third stories by any moral or philanthropic association 
of the city or county that are now or may be here- 
after recognized by the laws of tlie State, provided 
that it be with the consent of the President and 
Trustees of the town. 

The building was erected by the citizens, the 
Society of Sons of Temperance] and the Masonic 
orders each paying one-third of the cost. Sherman 
Scofield undertook the erection of the building for 
1-1,800. Each of the three parties was to linish their 
respective portions. The first floor belonged to the 
town, the second to the Sons of Temperance, and the 
third to the Masonic orders. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH BUILDING (FORMERLY 
OPERA house). 

In 1870 the second and third floors of the lai'ge 
business building then belonging to E. J. Claypool, 
located on the west side of Central Avenue between 
Court and Fifth Streets, was remodeled and con- 
verted into a neat and tasty opera house, at a cost of 
$8,000, and was so used until 1872, when the prop- 
erty was sold to the church and has since been used 
for religious purposes. The building as an ojaera 
house was opened on the night of October 7, 1870, 
with a humorous lecture delivered by the " Fat Con- 
tributor " (A. M. Griswold), of Cincinnati. 

THE ANDRE OPERA HOUSE. 

This substantial building is located on the corner 
of Fifth and Market Streets and bears the name of 
its enterprising builder. The structure covers ground 
48x80 feet and is two stories high; on the second 
floor is a neat opera room with a stage 21x46 feet 
and a seating capacity of 600 people. It is fully 
equipped with beautiful and numerous sets of scenery 
for plays of all kinds. The cost of ilie building com- 
plete was $20,000. It was built in 1876. 

grave -YARDS AND CEMETERY. 

As old as the village itself was the first place of 
burial located on the river bank opposite Third 
Street and extending above and below. This place 
of burial was not used much after 1828, the encroach- 
ments of the river making it necessary to remove the 
graves and abandon the grounds. The water now 
passes through what was once the city of the dead. 

The second grave-yard was laid out on Western 
Avenue, nov? the site of the Methodist Episcopal Par- 
sonage, and was used until the growth of the town 
was such as to demand another change, when the 
first tract of laud where is now situated the beautiful 



cemetery of the city was obtained. This is located 
in the northwestern outskirts of the city, comprising 
about fourteen acres of land beautifully laid out and 
dotted over with choice evergreens, shade trees and 
many elegant and costly monuments of marble and 
granite. 

Lucretius says of the earth: 

Omni parens eadem rerum est Commune aepulchrum. 
The parent of all, she is also the common sepulchre. 

Let our burial places, therefore, be beautified 
with the "greenery of nature," and let the adornments 
of art be added to please the senses and soothe the 
feelings of the living. 

October 8, 1851, ten acres of the cemetery were pur- 
chased by the corporation of Silas Pumphrey, Sr., 
and laid out into lots the following December — it 
being the north part of the present grounds. The 
greater number of the bodies interred in the other 
yards were removed to the cemetery. The latter has 
been under the care and management of the town and 
city authorities from the beginning. R. C. Bratten, 
the present Superintendent, has held the position for 
twenty years past. 

CONNERSVILLE A CITY. 

In the spring of 1868 steps were taken looking to 
the change of the town to a city. A petition signed 
by 301 citizens was presented to the town authorities, 
the population then being estimated at 2,500. 

At an election held June 16, 1869, at which 300 
of the voters out of 865 expressed themselves in favor 
of a city charter, the city charter was procured and 
adopted, the city ordered divided into three wards, 
and July 5 appointed as a day for the electiim of city 
officers. The election resulted in the choice of Will- 
iam H. Beck, Mayor; C. D. Smith, Marshal; Henry 
F. Kane, Clerk; John Uhl, Treasurer; A. H. Wood, 
Assessor; Council for the First Ward, Train Cald- 
well and F. Martin; for the Second Ward, John R. 
McCabe and Lee Thalheimer; Third Ward, E. F. 
Claypool and John S. Wilson. The Mayors have 
since been John P. Kerr, elected in sjiring of 1871 ; 
W. C. Forrey, 1872; Gilbert Trusler, 1876; W. C. 
Forrey, 1877; Charles Roehl, 1880; Charles Murray, 
1884. 

GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 

Important eras in the city's history may be said 
to have commenced first with the completion of the 
canal in 1845; second, with the completion of the 
railroads in the decade between 1860 and 1870; and the 
establishment of the several large furniture factories 
in the fore part of the succeeding decade. 

The census of 1830 gave Connersville a population 
of 500; the estimated population in 1846 was 1,000; 
and since 1850, as given by the United State census, 



HISTOKY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



147 



at each decade it has been as follows: 1850, 1,396; 
1860, 2,119; 1870, 2,496; 1880, 3,228. 

The postoffice was established in Connersville in 
1818. 

The printing press was introduced into the village 
in 1823. 

The canal was completed to the town in 1845. 

The electro-magnetic telegraph line from Hamil- 
ton tolndianapolis via Connersville was built in 1851. 

The railruad.s came to the place in the decade 
between 1860 and 1870. 

The streets of the town were first lighted by coal- 
oil lamps in the fall of 1866. 

The same year a Board of Health was appointed, 
and the names of the streets changed. 

The city was first lighted by gas in 1875. 

The total number of buildings erected in Conners- 
ville in 1868 was fifty-two, costing $150,500. 

Among them was the residence of B. F. Claypool, 
$35,000 (brick); the brick business house of William 
H. Beck, $13,000; the brick business block of \V. and 
J. Huston, $25,000; the brick business house of 
Alexander Morrow, $4,250; the brick grist-mill of H. 
L. Wetherald & Son, $13,000; the two-story frame 
machine shop and agricultural implement manufac- 
tory of Marks & Simpson, $2,500; and seven dwelling- 
houses by J. B. McFarland, $12,500. 

WATER WORKS. 

In September, 1869, the Council of Connersville 
contracted with the Holly Manufacturing Company 
of Lockport, N. Y., for the erection of water works for 
the city, which was intended to furnish a more effi- 
cient and reliable fire protection, rather than with a 
view of a revenue therefrom for water supplied for 
domestic purposes. The works were completed in 
January, 1870, at a cost of $47,000, and are situated 
about one mile from the center of the city, built on 
ground bought of Wanee and Martin for $500. 

The machinery of the Water Works is propelled 
by water power from the Connersville Hydraulic 
(formerly Whitewater Valley) Canal. The power is 
80 regulated that a pressure of from twenty to twentv- 
five pounds is always kept upon the mains, which is 
sufiicient for all purj)oses except in case of fire; and 
in case of an alarm of fire the power is immediately 
increased to give a pressure of from seventy-five to 
one hundred pounds. 

The works have remained the property of the city, 
and the annual cost of running them is $750. 

CONNERSVILLE GAS-LIGHT MANUFACTURING COMPANY. 

This company was organized in 1875, with a capi- 
tal stock of $30,000, officered by C. B. Newlands, 
President, and J. N. Huston, Secretary and Treasurer. 



Ground at the south end of the city was purchased of 
the Indiana Furniture Oomjjany, and the present 
brick quarters erected. The works were completed, 
and the city of Connersville appeared for the first 
time in gas light on Christmas night, 1875. 

The company has since increased its stock to 
$50,000. The present officers are Levin Mcintosh, 
President, A. M. Sinks, Secretary, and J. N. Huston, 
Treasurer. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Until some time in the decade between 1830 and 
1840 the villagers protected property from fire as best 
they could without the aid of a fire engine, the old 
bucket line system being then in vogue. Toward the 
latter part of the decade the first tire engine of the 
village was purchased of a Mr. Wadley, of Oxford, 
Ohio, and was called "Pluto." The "Pluto" is a 
small engine and consists of a rude device for throw- 
ing water placed in a box or bed, the whole being 
mounted on four small wheels. The water was 
thrown into the box by a line of men with buckets 
extending from the nearest supply. From the box 
the water was pumped by hand brakes and thrown 
upon the fire. 

The second and last fire engine introduced into 
the village was that of the "Ocean," which was con- 
tracted for June 7, 1848, between the Board of Trust- 
ees of Connersville and D. L. Farnham & Co., of 
Cincinnati, Ohio. The "Ocean" is what was known as 
"Farnam's Patent Horizontal Fire Engine," having a 
row-boat movement, working horizontally without 
levers. It is a large two-stream suction engine and 
is worked by men occupying a sitting posture as 
oarsmen in a boat. The cost of it was $1,200. These 
two engines are still the property of the city authori- 
ties, though not in general use since 1870. On the 
purchase of the "Pluto" and the "Ocean" volunteer 
companies were organized and kept up dui-ing the use 
of the engines. 

On the adoption of a city government in 1869 
steps were soon taken looking to a better system of 
protecting property from fire. January 3, 1870, an 
ordinance to this end was established providing for a 
Fire Department consisting of sixty able-bodied male 
citizens, to be divided into four divisions of fifteen 
members each — three divisions of hose and one divis- 
ion of hooks and ladders, each to be located in a 
suitable place in the city, etc., etc. In accordance 
therewith the present Fire Department was organized 
January 19, 1870. It consists of forty-eight men 
divided into four sections, a division of twelve men 
each — one hook and ladder division, and the others, 
hose divisions located as follows: one hose division 
on Seventh Btreet just west of the canal; another 
on Eastern Avenue, south of the railroad, and the 



148 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



remaining hose division, and the hook and ladder 
division at the City Hall building. There is 
located at each of the hose divisions one hose-reel, 
and at the hook and ladder division one wagon 
with the necessary equipments. The department 
has about 1800 feet of serviceable hose on the reels 
and about 100 feet of ladders with the general 
accompaniments. By an ordinance established in 
1875 each member of the department was to receive 
annually $10, which was increased by another ordi- 
nance established in 1881, to 112.50. The number 
composing the department was reduced in 1881 to 
forty-eight. Application for membership is made 
through the City Council. The whole department is 
under the supervision and management of an officer 
styled the Chief of Fire Department, whose salary is 
$50 per year. Since the completion of the water 
works this system has been in successful operation. 

BANKS. 

The first banking house established in Conners- 
ville was the Bank of Connersville, started in 1852 
by John D. Park and B. F. Sanford, of Cincinnati, 
with a capital of $200,000. The place of business 
was first in the rear part of Mr. Frybarger's store 
(southwest corner Central Avenue and Fifth Street). 
Soon after the institution was opened the proprietors 
erected the substantial three-story brick building, with 
stone front, located on Central Avenue between Fourth 
and Fifth Streets, in which is now carried on the 
business of the Citizen's Bank, and in it did their 
banking business during the career of the bank which 
lasted but a few years. Its Presidents were George 
Frybarger and A. B. Conwell, the latter succeeding 
Mr. Frybarger at his death in 1853. 

Probably one year after the organization of the 
Bank of Connersville was started the Fayette County 
Bank, which was opened in the corner room of what 
is now designated as the Huston House, southeast 
corner Central Avenue and Fourth Street. Among 
the stockholders were' Meredith Helm, Newton Clay- 
pool, Henry Simpson, L. D. Allen, Henry Goodland- 
er, Minor Meeker and Josiah Mullikin. Mr. Helm 
was the first President and Louis D. Allen the first 
Cashier of the bank. In a year or two Louis D. 
Allen was succeeded as Cashier by E. F. Claypool. 

The latter part of the year 1856 the Fayette 
County Bank was merged into the Connersville 
branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana, which 
was opened in the Claypool Building on the west 
side of Central Avenue between Court and Fifth 
Streets, to which the Fayette County Bank had been 
removed. The latter institution had been known as 
one of the most reliable and safest in the State. The 
branch of the State Bank was opened in January, 



1857, and on the 6th of that month John Caldwell, 
Henry Simpson, Sherman Scotield, Amos R. Edwards, 
Newton Claypool. Thomas J. Crisler and W. W. 
Frybarger were elected Directors. Newton Claypool 
was chosen President, E. F. Claypool Cashier andWill- 
iam H. Wherrett Teller. Some years afterward the 
President was succeeded by his sou, B. F. Claypool. 
In 1857 it was said that the stock-holders resident in 
the county owned real estate in the coaoty valued at 
$340,000. 

The Connersville branch of the State Bank was 
reorganized as the First National Bank of Conners- 
ville in February, 1865, with capital stock to the 
amount of $100,000, under the Presidency of B. F. 
Clayijool, E. F. Claypool becoming Cashier. The 
first Board of Directors consisted of J. M. Wilson, 
H. D. Carlisle, P. H. and F. M. Roots and the Pres- 
ident and Cashier. In 1873 P. H. Roots was 
chosen President and Charles Mount Cashier. In 
1879 Mr. Roots died and was succeeded by his 
brother, F. M. Roots. Messrs. Roots and Mount still 
retain those positions. F. T. Roots is the Vice-Presi- 
dent. From 1873 until his death in October, 1883, 
G. W. Dhl was the Assistant Cashier. The business 
of the bank is conducted in a two-story brick building 
which stands on the northwest corner of Central 
Avenue and Fifth Street. 

At the time Mr. Allen was succeeded as Cashier 
of the Fayette County Bank by E. F. Claypool, he 
withdrew from the institution and in September, 
1854, opened a savings bank in the building now 
occupied by Dr. Vance as a residence, on Fourth 
Street between Eastern and Central Avenues, which 
had been erected as a canal office. Elisha Vance was 
chosen President of this bank, which was short-lived, 
lasting a year or so only. 

For some years after the cessation of the Bank of 
Connersville, in the same building was carried on a 
kind of a banking business by James Mount and 
William Merrill, under the title of the Farmers' 
Bank. 

In October, 1870, was organized by James and 
William Huston, Sylvester Scofield, Chauncy Lyman, 
William H. Wherrett, Warner H. Broaddus and 
James C. Mcintosh, the Citizens' Bank, which was 
opened in the fine banking house erected by the pro 
jectors of the Bank of Connersville, which building 
': had become their property. In 1874 the two Hustons 
purchased the interest of Messrs. Wherrett and 
Scofield, and subsequently (after the death of William 
Huston) James, his son, bought out the remaining 
stock-holders, and the institution has since remained 
in his possession and under his management. Since 
the spring of 1876 Mr. Huston has been assisted in 
the business of the bank by Levin Mclutosh. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



149 



The bank has a capital stock of $50,000, with a 
surplus of 125,000. It is one of the most reliable 
banking houses in eastern Indiana. 

INDUSTRIES. 

The leading industries of the village and of the 
later town have been referred to in a preceding chap- 
ter, and it will be our purpose to here treat of the 
more important manufactories beginning with the 
completion of the canal, which marked an era in the 
history of the town. The water privileges and 
hydraulic power afforded thereby being of such a 
standard as to invite and claim attention, though tard- 
ily seized to any considerable extent, they have been 
the means of developing the slow and quiet village 
and town of a quarter of a century ago into the bust- 
ling manufacturing center of to-day, with its several 
immense furniture factories, its wonderful rotary 
blower foundry, its several extensive grist-mills, its 
stocking factory, with the clusters of minor mills and 
factories dotting over its surface, and giving employ- 
ment to hundreds of men, women and children. 

In 1846 or thereabouts was built a large flouring 
mill on the site of the present Counersville Hydraulic 
Mills, located on the Hydraulic between Sixth and 
Seventh Streets, and known as the H. L. Wetherald 
& Son Mill, by H. C. Moore and W. P. Lawrence, 
engineers on the canal. In 1867 the mill was pur- 
chased by H. L. Wetherald & Son, and the following 
year was destroyed by fire, but again rebuilt at once. 
The main mill building is constructed of brick, and 
in size is 45x64 feet, and two and half stories high 
with basement. In 1883 the mill was equijiped with 
the roller process system, having twelve sets of roll- 
ers and a capacity for making 150 barrels of flour 
per day. The firm is P. B. Wood & E. R. Wether- 
ald. 

Not far from the date of the building of the mill 
above described H. L. Wetherald erected a saw-mill 
just east of the present site of the grist-mill of Keller 
& Uhl (on the river near Root's foundry), and some 
later was erected by Messrs. Wetherald & Hughes 
the present large three and a half story frame mill 
building of Keller & Uhl. This passed through 
various hands, and in 1868 the firm of Schlosser & 
Co. was succeeded by Keller, Uhl & Co. , and some 
six years ago the firm was changed to its present title. 
The mill has been operated with five run of stone, 
and having a capacity of eighty barrels of flour per 
day. It is now (June, 1884,) undergoing a renova- 
tion whereby the stones are to be replaced by sixteen 
double sets of improved rollers of the Stephens pat- 
ent, which will change the capacity of the mill from 
80 to 150 barrels of floiu- per day. The main build- 
ing of the mill is 40x60 feet. 



From 1847 to 1875 a very important industry of 
Counersville was the old Counersville Woolen Mill, 
which was located near the Counersville Hydraulic 
Mills, and was established in 1847 by A. & P. H. 
Roots. In 1852 A. Roots, the senior partner, retired 
and was succeeded by P. H. & F. M. Roots, who ran 
the business until 1871, when the name of the firm 
changed to P. H. Roots & Co. In March, 1875, P. H. 
withdrew all of his interests as a partner, making 
his son, Charles P., principal owner and business 
manager, and the title of the firm became Roots & 
Co. The goods from the factory, cassimeres, jeans, 
flannels, blankets, robes, hosiery, waterproofs, worsted 
bagging, etc., etc., had a market in all parts of the 
United States. The factory employed on an average 
forty people the year round. For twenty-eiglit years 
it is said that an average of 150,000 pounds of wool 
per year was used at the institution, and the prod- 
ucts of the loom during that period brought into 
Counersville $4,500,000. The factory was destroyed 
by fire on the morning of June 13, 1875. 

Another of the large flouring-mills erected soon 
after the completion of the canal was the extensive 
mill of A. B. Conwell on Eastern Avenue, where the 
building, though vacated, still stands as a monument to 
his enterprise. The mill most likely had a capacity 
of manufacturing from 150 to 200 barrels of flour per 
day. It was carried on in the Conwell name until 
its cessation in 1866, when its water-power was 
destroyed by the great freshet of that year. 

For a period of probably twenty-five years follow- 
ing the completion of the canal pork-packing engaged 
the attention of a number of the citizens of Couners- 
ville and the county and several extensive houses for 
the carrying on of that industry in its various 
branches were erected, and hog slaughtering and 
pork-packing ranked with the leading industries. 
Among the large fifms in operation at the same time 
during the period named were A. B. Conwell & 
Sons, George W. Frybarger. Daniel Hankins, Hol- 
ton, Simpson & Co., Caldwell, McCollem & Co., and 
the Fayette County Hog Slaughtering & Pork Pack- 
ing Association, with their various changes. 

Mr. Conwell for a time carried on in the neigh- 
borhood of his mill and tannery and subsequently on 
the site of the gas works, and erected the large build- 
ing still standing on the northeast corner of Central 
Avenue and Fifth Street. Mr. Frybarger built an 
extensive building on the site of the Andre Opera 
House and Caldwell Block, and in these several 
places the different firms operated. 

In 1846 there were 6,000 hogs packed in the town; 
in 1856 about 11,000 were slaughtered and packed, 
the firms being A. B. Conwell & Sons and J. Hol- 
ton & Co. ; the price paid was $6 per hundred. 



150 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



In 1858 Conwell & Sons killed for Daniel Hankins, 
and by all firms there were over 25,000 hogs slaught- 
ered in the town; in 1862 the firms of Caldwell & 
Co. slaughtered upward of 13,000 hogs which aver- 
aged 2-42 pounds. 

In February, 1862, the Fayette County Hog 
Slaughtering & Pork Packing Association was organ- 
ized with capital stock of $18,000. Bezaled Beeson 
was chosen President and James Heron Secretary of 
the Association. They purchased the old Frybarger 
property, where the business of the Association was 
carried on while they did business and subse- 
quently by others engaged in the business, which 
closed with the season of 1873-74, Caldwell & Co. 
being the last firm engaged in the business, and in 
1872-73 they killed 28,000 hogs. 

The several largo mills and pork-packing houses 
required thousands of barrels, which in main were 
manufactured in the town, adding another industry 
of no small note. 

In 1845 Valentine Michael began this branch of 
trade along the Hydraulic between Fifth and Sixth 
Streets and carried it on until 1864, when he was 
succeeded by John Uhl, who did an extensive busi- 
ness until 1870 and was then succeeded by the pres- 
ent proprietor of the business, Henry Weitsel. Mr. 
Weitsel now employs four men. Mr. Uhl while 
engaged in the business made about 18,000 barrels 
per year. 

In 1865 Florentine Michael, a son of Valentine, 
began the same business and is yet carrying it on in the 
southern part of the city. He works seven men and 
manufactures some 12,000 barrels per year. 

Not a great deal was done in the way of carriage 
manufacturing until about 1850, about which time 
the firm of Drew & McCracken began the manufac- 
ture of buggies and carriages on Central Avenue near 
Sixth Street, but the shops were ot short life. 

In 1851 William P. & Andrew Applegate began 
the same branch of business on Central Avenue near 
Fifth Street and the firm carried on extensively until 
in 1870, when owing to the death of William P., the 
shop was sold to Hemy & Swikley and they in a short 
time to J. B. Mcl'arlan. The Applegates worked on 
an average of from ten to fifteen hands the year 
through. 

About the time the Applegate firm commenced 
business, a firm under the title of Ware & Veatch 
opened up a carriage manufactory on Sixth Street 
near the Hydraulic. The firm lasted several years, 
when Mr. Veatch (Charles) became the proprietor, 
and the business sto2:)ped prior to 1857. 

In 1857 J. B. McFarlan established the extensive 
carriage and buggy manufactory now doing business 
under the name of the McFarlan Carriage Company. 



The old Veatch shop fell into his possession, which 
was his place of beginning. He has since added 
unto his shops, until they now compose quite a clus 
ter of large buildings, situated on either side of 
Sixth Street just west of Central Avenue, on which 
is also a portion of the woi-ks. The company, com- 
prising J. B., C. E., J., W. W. and J. E. McFarlan 
was formed in 1883. They manufacture carriages 
and buggies, and employ seventy five men the year 
round, turning out hundreds of vehicles. 

In 1884 was organized the Connersville Buggy 
Company (successors' to Batavia Buckboard Com- 
pany), and located in the large mill building on the 
corner of Eastern Avenue and Charles Street, for- 
merly occupied as a planing-mill. The building is 
large and commodious, and the company works from 
forty to fifty hands, and will likely make during the 
coming year 1,500 vehicles. The officers of the com- 
pany are J. N. Huston, President; J. D. Larned, 
Treasiirer; L. T. Bower, Secretary, and John W. 
Pohlmaa, Superintendent of Manufactures. 

The tanning business has been carried on in Con- 
nersville from the very beginning of the village. 
Besides the old Rees, Conwell and others elsewhere 
referred to, the business was carried on where the 
hominy mill now is, and in that vicinity for many 
years. Forty odd years ago Brown & Bundrant were 
tanners there. The yard tiually passed into the pos- 
session of John L. Gilchrist, and has only recently 
ceased. A year or so ago, in that neighborhood, the 
Myer Bros, began the business, and are now car- 
rying on in that line on a small scale. 

About the year 1846 William F. (iephart, of 
Dayton, Ohio, erected a portion of the Root's foun- 
dry building, and in it started a stove foundry, and 
after operating several years in one end of the build- 
ing, John Ensley, of Richmond, began the manu- 
facture of machinery, threshing-machines, steam- 
engines, etc. Mr. Gephart sold to William J. Han- 
kins. 

In about 1855 Mr. Ensley, in connection with 
James Mount and Josiah Mullikin, erected the large 
brick building on Eastern Avenue near the Cinoiu- 
nati, Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad, at a cost of 
14,000, and in it carried on the manufacture of vari- 
ous kinds of machinery, threshing-machines, engines, 
sorgham-mills, etc.. etc. Mr. Ensley soon went out, 
and the firm became Erwin, Mount & Mullikin, and 
under that title the business there ceased, and the 
building was sold in 1866 to Wetherald & Sons. 
Previous to the selling of the building Mr. Mullikin 
had I'ented the old foundry building of Mr. Hankins, 
and in it carried on the same business as the firm of 
Erwin, Mount & Mullikin had been engaged in, he 
having the entire building, Hankius having gone out. 





_-' r ^f 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



153 



The successors to Mr. Mullikin were E. & E. L. Mul- 
likin, who continued the business until in 1863, 
when it was discontinued. 

In January, 1864 the foundry building was sold 
to Messrs. P. H. &. F. M. Roots, who then began the 
manufacture of a i-otary force blast blower at Con- 
nersville, and in connection with the foundry carried 
on a machine shop. The blower was of their own 
invention, which was developed about 1860, and 
until 1864 manufactured at other machine shops. 
From 1860 to 1870 their patents were covered by fif- 
teen different issues. 

Since the death of Mr. P. H. Roots the Foundry 
has been carried on by the other brother and in the 
Roots name. It now comprises throe buildings, one 
of which is three stories high, and the others two 
stories each — dimensions 75x40 feet, 70x30 feet and 
60x40 feet, all well equipped with improved machin- 
ery. The works are located in the south end of the 
city near the river. Some seventy-five men are con- 
stantly employed. Since the beginning there have 
been manufactured at this foundry and sold in this 
country over 10,000 blowers, and as many more in 
foreign countries, 5,000 of which are now in use in 
England. The blower has been awarded first medals 
and premiums at the Paris Exposition in 1867; Vienna 
Exposition in 1873, and at the Centennial Exposi- 
tion in 1876. At the foundry are now manufactured 
force blast blowers, portable forges and gas ex- 
hausters. 

The beginning of the manufacture of furniture in 
Connersville, which has resulted in the four large 
factories now in the city, dates back to the year 
1865. In May of this year A. C. Cooley, a cabinet- 
maker and furniture dealer, and Warren Wanee, a 
carpenter, united their business and began the manu- 
facture of furniture in the old factory building still 
standing near the Water Works. In the October 
following they dissolved. A month later a company 
composed of A. C. Cooley, George W. Gregg and 
William Newkirk, for the manufacture of furniture, 
was formed, and occupied the factory building, here- 
tofore referred to, by the Water Works, continuing 
together until in 1869 (manufacturing and carry- 
ing on retail business down town), when they dis- 
solved, Mr. Newkirk possessed of the factory build- 
ing and machinery, and Cooley & Gregg the 
retail property. Probably six months later Gregg 
sold his interest to Alexander Morrison, and in 1S70 
Cooley, Morrison & Co. began operations as a fur- 
niture manufacturing company in the old foundry 
building on Eastern Avenue. They continued there 
until July of the same year, when they removed to 
a shop on Central Avenue, previously occupied by 
Messrs. Wanee & Martin as a carpenter shop, and 



there continued their business until in 1874, when 
it was merged into a stock company. 

The factory of the Cooley-Morrison Furniture 
Manufacturing Association is on the corner of Seventh 
and Mason Streets, the main building being a sub- 
stantial brick four stories high, and in size is 40x120 
feet. The President of the Association is Curtis 
Wright, and T. J. Rittenhouse Secretary and Treas- 
urer. They employ 100 hands and manufacture 
walnut and ash bureaus, dressers, wash-stands, bed- 
steads, and dress case and bureau suits. 

At the time Mr. Newkirk came into possession 
of the old factory he associated with him Herman 
Munk in the manufacture of furniture, and in 1874 
Newkirk sold out to James E. Roberts, and the firm 
became Munk & Roberts, and in 1884 the present 
company styled "Munk & Roberts Furniture Co.," 
manufacturers of suits, bureaus, and wash-stands. 
The factory is located in the northwestern out-skirts 
of the city along the track of the Whitewater Valley 
Railroad. They have two large substantial brick 
buildings, one of which is four stories high, and in 
size 60x100 feet, built in 1878, and the other, erected 
in 1883, is five stories high and is 50x140 feet. One 
hundred and fifty workmen are employed on an aver- 
age. President, H. Munk; Secretary and Treasurer, 
J. E. Roberts. 

Mr. Newkirk, on selling his interests to James E. 
Roberts in 1874, formed the Indiana Furniture Com- 
pany, with the following named incorporators : Will- 
iam Newkirk, J. B. McFarlan, John W. Ross, J. M. 
Wilson, B. F. Claypool, G. C. and F. A. Hanson. 
The company was organized in September, 1874, with 
a capital stock of $50,000. The officers were W. 
Newkirk, President; W. H. Wherrett, Secretary and 
Treasurer. The capital stock has been twice increased, 
and is now $100,000. The factory is located at the 
south end of Eastern Avenue. The original building 
was constructed in 1874, being five stories high, and 
a second building was erected in 1876. It is four 
stories high, and each are 120x40 feet. An additional 
building was erected in 1878. The company employs 
160 men, and probably on an average manufacture 
120,000 pieces per year. The articles manufactured 
are confined exclusively to ash, walnut and cherry 
sets. Present officers: William Newkirk, President; 
George M. Sinks, Secretary and Treasurer. 

The Connersville Furniture Manufactui'ing Com- 
pany was organized as a joint stock company in Feb- 
ruary, 1882, with the following officers, who still 
retain their positions: F. M. Roots, President; 
Charles Mount, Vice-President; N. W. Wright, Sec- 
retary; E. B. Hawkins, Superintendent factory. 

The factory is located nearly opposite to that of 
Munk & Roberts, and the main building is of brick, 

8 



154 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



six stories high, and in size 50x150 feet. They man- 
ufacture walnut and other hard wood furniture, mak- 
ing a specialty of bed room suits. They employ on 
an average 150 workmen. 

On Sunday morning, January 26, 1884, a fire 
occurred at the factory, by which it was damaged, as 
adjusted by the several insurance companies, to the 
extent of $14,500. 

What was known as the coffin factory, located 
where the Connersville Furniture Company are now 
doing business, originated with John Wanee, who 
along toward the latter part of the decade between 
1860 and 1870 began the manufacture of a few cof- 
fins, in connection with other business. Subsequently 
he associated with him in the enterprise T. J. Parry. 
In October, 1874, J. H. Bailey and Samuel Beck 
boaght an interest in the business, and in January, 
1875, the partnership closed, and a stock company 
was formed with a capital of $57,000. The factory 
comprised several buildings, one of which was erected 
in 1869 by Martin & Wauee, and the other, a five- 
story brick, 80x40 feet, in 1874, at a cost of $13,700. 
In May, 1879, the factory was destroyed by fire, when 
seventy -five men and boys and fifteen girls were 
thrown out of employment. The stock at the time of 
the fire comprised 7,000 coffins, 5,000 of which were 
ready for shipment. The loss sustained was estimated 
at from $60,000 to $70,000. 

The Western Hosiery Mills are located at the 
south end of Central Avenue. Their building is a 
three-story brick 85x35 feet, erected in 1884. The 
business was established in 1873 by Leonard Bros., 
with W. H. Caswell as Superintendent. But 
one or two machines were used in the beginning, 
which were operated at the house of the Superin- 
tendent. Their various places of business in the 
past have been on the Buckley corner, over the 
Frybarger store and in the building adjoining the 
Gentry Livery Stable on Central Avenue. The num- 
ber of machines used has increased from two to one 
hundred, the number now in use. In 1881 the Su- 
perintendent obtained a patent for driving knitting and 
other light machinery by power, and applied it to the 
Lamb machines then in use by Leonard Bros., who 
transferred the right to Chenoweth & Kalph when 
they purchased the mill, and the present company 
secured it at the time of the purchase from Cheno- 
weth & Ralph. From June, 1882, until October, 
1883, the firm was Chenoweth & Ralph, at which 
latter date Mr. Ralph purchased the interest of 
his partner, and a joint stock company was or- 
ganized with J. N. Huston as President; Melvin 
Ellis, Secretary; A. J. Ralph, Manager, and W. 
H. Caswell, Superintendent. In May, 1884, Mr. 
Ralph sold his interest to Hub Thomas and retired 



from the mill. One hundred female operatives are 
employed at the factory, where a general line of 
seamless and cut hosiery, mittens, etc., are manufact- 
ured. 

In 1875 was started, in part of the old Frybarger 
pork house, a sash, door and blind factory, by D. W. 
Andre and J. H. Stewart & Co. This finally became 
the factory of Downs, Ready & Co., contractors and 
builders, and manufacturers of sash, doors, blinds, 
moldings, etc. The firm employ from fifty to sixty 
Lands. 

The Connersville Pearl Hominy Company was 
established in 1882 by C. Ross, Val and J. S. Leon- 
ard and N. J. Morrison. In May, 1884, Mr. Ross 
was succeeded by W. H. Wherrett, who is now Presi- 
dent of the company, and Val Leonard Secretary and 
Treasurer. The mill is located in the southern part 
of the city along the Hydraulic; its average dimen- 
sions 150x40, three stories high, and is fully 
equipped with improved machinery for the manufact- 
ure of the new patent process of kiln dried hominy, 
grits, corn flour, cream meal, pearl meal, etc. 

In 1877 was erected just north of the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad a steam saw-mill 
by L. T. Bower and H. C. Eliason. The two operated 
it for a couple of years, when Mr. Eliason became 
the sole proprietor and is now carrying on the busi- 
ness. 

Three or four years ago Messrs. Bower & Tat- 
man erected the large frame building in which is now 
carried on the business of the Connersville Buggy 
Company, and in it started a planing-mill, sash, door 
and blind factory. This was only operated two or 
three years. 

SCHOOLS. 

Of the early schools of Connersville there is no 
record. We are reliably informed, however, that the 
County Seminary building was the first house espec- 
ially erected for school purposes; in other words, it 
was the first regular schoolhouso in the village. Prior 
to this period (1828-29) schools were taught where- 
ever and whenever it was most convenient to find 
teachers and quarters for the scholars. Among these 
can be mentioned a school taught by Charles Don- 
ovan in a hewod-log-cabin, that stood on the south 
side of the alley, on the east side of old Main Street, 
on the site of the Dickson dwelling. This was not 
far from 1823-24. Subaoqueutly the same man 
taught in a log building on the east side of what is 
now called Central Avenue, just south of Third 
Street. A school is remembered as having been held 
in a dwelling on Central Avenue, near the old Archi- 
bald Reed tavern. A Mr. Gilbert and a man by the 
name of Gray taught in Connersville prior to the 
building of the seminary. 



HISTOKY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



155 



The County Seminary was established under an 
act of January 27, 1827. The lirst Board of Trust- 
ees were George Frybarger, Dr. Philip Mason and 
James Qroendyke, of which Martin M. Ray was 
appointed Clerk. The ground selected for its site 
was designated as Lots Nos. 1 and 2 on the original 
town plat, which was then owned by Oliver H. Smith. 
The sum of $510.50, was donated for the erection 
of a building; the contract for the brick, mason and car- 
penter work was let to Richard^ Miller for $773, and 
was to be completed by January 1, 1829. It was to 
be a brick structure, two stories high, with a pedi- 
ment and belfry. Samuel C, Sample was appointed 
to superintend its erection. Thomas Alexander was 
employed to lath and plaster the liouso for $50. 
Thomas J. Sample and William Burnett were em- 
ployed to make the desks, seats and otherwise fur- 
nish the house for $45, and William McOleary and 
Julius Whitmore to paint the house at $1.12 J per 
day (they furnishing the brushes). The building was 
completed, and school opened in it by Samuel W. 
Parker, Monday, July 13, 1829. Caleb B. Smith, 
who succeeded Mr. Ray as Clerk, gave notice "that 
the establishment of a seminary has been at the 
expense of the county, and the object of the man- 
agers is to afford to the youth of the county an oppor- 
tunity of acquiring a good academic education." 

The year was divided into four terms. There was 
an elementary school; and English scientific course 
the latter being divided into two classes, namely ju' 
nior and senior. In the elementary school were taught 
orthography, reading, 'penmanship and arithmetic 
(Pike's system) through the Rule of Practice. In the 
junior year arithmetic was completed, English 
grammar (Greenleaf), ancient and modern geogra- 
phy (Worcester), book-keeping through single .entry, 
elements of history with historical charts (J. E. 
Worcester), weekly recitations in declamation and 
composition. The senior class comprised rhetoric 
(Jameson), logic (Hodge's), natural philosophy and 
chemistry (Keating), algebra (Bounycastle), geome- 
try (Playfair's), surveying (Gummerie's), mensuration 
(Bonnycastle). 

Latin, Greek and French were to be taught with 
higher mathematics if applied for. Students that 
completed course were entitled to diplomas, and 
those completing it in part to certiticates of prog, 
ress. The tuition was $2, $3 and $5_ respectively for 
departments named. 

Subsequent early teachers in the seminary were 
Elder M. Bradley, a graduate of Brown University, 
R. I , and Harvey Nutting, the latter having taught 
for a long period in the various schools of the county. 
The number of pupils in attendance in the seminary 
in the fall of 133U was 100. Under date of August 



10, 1832, it was stated in print, "The citizens of Con- 
neraville and Fayette County, generally, are respect- 
fully informed that Mr. Harvey Nutting, recently 
from Boston, will open a school in their seminary, 
on Monday the 13th of August. * * * ]vir. 
Nutting is a stranger among us; but from what we 
have seen of his deportment and ascertained in rela- 
tion to his qualifications as a teacher, we are disposed 
to recommend him to the favorable regard of our fel- 
low citizens." 

On Christmas Day, 1833, a subscription paper 
was circulated for the purpose of raising means to 
purchase a bell to be hung in the cupola of the 
building. The names of the subscribers are set forth 
below with the amount subscribed: 

Joha Williams |1 00 D. Beek $1 00 

.Joseph Moffitt 100 T.R.Lewis .TO 

N. Claypool 1 00 M. Grume 1 00 

D. Wrigtit 1 00 R. Griffis 1 00 

H. Coombs 1 00 J. Mclntosli 2.5 

J. Vandegrift 100 R.Miller 50 

J. Sample 25 William Walton 100 

J.Tate 25 R.T.Brown 50 

C.B.Smith 50 Hankins & Mount 2 00 

J. Haclileman 50 G. Qinn .50 

J.Custer 25 F. T. Walling 12i 

H. Goodlander .50 Joseph Bane 50 

D. Rench 1 00 O. H.Smith 1 00 

William Kendre 25 J. DeCarap 50 

S. Scofield 25 A. B. Conwell 100 

M. Helm 50 S. W. Parker 40 

T.Alexander 12i M, Fay 50 

J. G. Edgerton 50 

Total $24 00 

The bell weighed seventy-five and a half pounds, 
which was to cost 40 cents per pound — $30.20. 

For several years, beginning with 1830, Mrs. 
Haynes taught what she termed a female academy - 
in the village. 

In the absence of records we can only give a 
meager account of the schools of the village for some 
years prior to 1853. Among the early teachers oth- 
er than those given: J. G. Edgerton. J. B. Tate, Mrs. 
Qinn, Harriet Mcintosh and Revs. Nelson and 
Jenkins. 

The basement of the old Methodist Church (now 
German Presbyterian) was used for school purposes. 
Up to probably 1840 the Trustees furnished the house 
and teachers generally fixed their own tuition. For 
the next decade or more there was not much free 
school, but considerable pay school. 

In 1843 it appears from an article of agreement 
before us that Connersville was styled District No. 7, 
Town 14, Range 12, of which the School Trustees 
were Josiah MuUikin and Richard Winchel. They 
employed John B. Tate to teach the common branches 
in Connersville for six months, beginning May 17, in 
consideration for which Mr. Tate was to receive $22 
per month. 

In 1853 the School Board consisted of Messrs. 
Hagerman, Crawford and Applegate, and in Septem- 



156 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



ber of thatjyear the following was adopted: Whereas, 
the graded free school presents advantages not to be 
found in the older systems, it is desirable to have 
introduced into the corporation schools as soon as 
possible, bat in view of the expense involved in pay- 
ing for tuition and other contingences which would 
follow on the adoption of said system in all its pro- 
visions, and in the further consideration that all the 
means to be used in buying grounds and building 
schoolhouses are yet to be provided, it is thought 
advisable to introduce a plan. The corporation School 
Trustees shall furnish school-rooms, including furni- 
ture together with fuel to warm the same, on condi- 
tion, first, the Trustee must have satisfactory assur- 
ance that proper inducement will be presented to 
secure as many pupils as may be thought advisable. 
Second, that proper efforts will be made to introduce 
and carry out the plan in compliance with such rules 
and regulations as may be prescribed by the person 
or persons whose duty it may be to direct and control 
the same. All teachers engaging under this manage- 
ment will fix their own price of tuition, and make 
their own collections. Be it further resolved that to 
execute the above plan the corporation School Trus- 
tees shall appoint an Educational Committee to ba 
composed of two branches, first, an executive branch 
to consist of three members, whose duty it shall be 
to prepare all the rules and regulations necessary in 
carrying out said system, viz., to receive the applica- 
tion of teachers, and to make all proper arrangements 
to enable them (the teachers) to enter upon the dis- 
charge of their duties, to arrange the division of the 
grades, to select a series of text-books, and, in short, 
attend to all such duties as devolve upon the general 
Superintendent of the district school. They will 
apply to the corporation School Board for the 
school room, when wanted, and for any repairs 
or material of any kind which may be required. 
Second, an auxiliary branch to be composed of three 
members from each of the three school districts, whose 
duty it shall be to assist the teachers in making up 
their schools, and also to confer with the citizens 
generally on the subject of the above management, 
giving all the information necessary to encourage and 
promote the desired success. 

The Executive Committee consisted of Kevs. J. B. 
Brownlee, E. G. Wood and William Pelan. The 
auxiliary, Committee was, in First District, Joseph Jus- 
tice, James Miller and James Mount; in Second Dis- 
trict, William Hawk, N. H. Burk and Alexander 
Morrison; in Third District William Brown, William 
Tindall and John Farner. 

A suitable building could not be procured and the 
Trustees determined to abandon the hope of opening 
school for the present. Subsequently a School Board 



consisting of N. K Burk, J. Justice and E. B. Thomas 
was elected by the people and remained in office until 
after the erection of the present school building. 

The teachers in 1854 were Elenor Jones, Catha- 
rine Farmer, Harriet Mcintosh, John W. McLain, 
Euphemia Mullikin, L. J. Beach, H. R. Grosvenor, 
Hannah Ginn and O. Aborn. The enumeration of 
scholars for the year was 612; whole number en- 
rolled during the year, 429; average daily attend- 
ance, 249. The male teachers received $36 per month, 
and the females |20. The common branches and 
astronomy were taught. 

In September, 1855, the County Commissioners 
leased the lot on which the seminary stood for a period 
of ninet^'-nine years to' the School Trustees, and at once 
steps were taken for the erection of a school building 
thereon. In December of that year A. Hatton sub- 
mitted the following plan for building: Dimensions, 
86 feet front by 69 J feet deep; three stories high; 
four rooms, 35x30 in each story, with halls 12 feet 
wide, extending through the entire breadth of the 
house. The building was to be built in the following 
spring, the contractor being Sherman Scotield. It 
was not completed and ready for occupancy, we un- 
derstand, until 1858. 

From 1858 to 1860 John Brady was the Superin- 
tendent, being the first to fill that office of the Con- 
nersville schools. From 1860 to 1865 there is a miss- 
ing link in the/ecords. In the latter year Charles 
Roehl was elected Superintendent, and served in that 
capacity for two years. (During this time the term 
of free schools was six months, and the remainder of 
the school year was taught a pay school.) From 1867 
to 1871 J. L. Rippetoe served in the capacity of 
Superintendent, the first year of which period con- 
sisted of eight months (the greatest length of any year 
since the establishment of the institution) Pay school 
pieced out the year. During the four years of Prof. • 
Rippetoe's management, considerable change was 
made in the manner of instructing. In 1871 a Mr. 
Hughes was chosen Superintendent, and remained as 
such one yeai", when succeeded by a Mr. Housekeeper, 
who was compelled to resign on account of poor 
health, just before the close of the school year. In 
1873 J. L. Rippetoe, the present worthy Superin- 
tendent, again assumed the management of the 
schools, which position he has since continuously 
filled. The length of the school year since 1868 has 
been nine months. 

The first commencement exercises of the school 
were held June 14 1878, when a class of seven were 
graduated from the institution, Charles Koehl, then 
President of the School Board, presenting the diplo- 
mas. 

In this connection it is but proper to refer briefly 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



157 



to the late Harvey Nutting, who for a long period of 
years was at the head of educational matters in the 
county, and for more than a dozen years was the 
pioneer of higher education in Connersville. "Uncle 
Harvey, " as he was called, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, born in 1808. He received a classical edu- 
cation at Amherst College, and in 1832 located in 
Connersville, where he resided the greater part of the 
time until his death, which occurred September 7, 
1884. 

CHURCHES. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church. — It is said that 
the first Methodist class In Connersville met and was 
formed at the residence of Robert Swift and that Mr. 
Swift was appointed the Leader. (Mr. Swift settled 
at Connersville in 1818). 

In 1821 a circuit was formed by Rev. John Hav- 
ens, a local preacher, which included the village of 
Connersville and was styled the Connersville^Circuit, 
and came in the Conference the following year. This 
was under the Presiding Eldership of Rev. Alexander 
Cummins. Rev. James Murray was appointed to the 
circuit in 1822 and in 1823 Rev. Aaron Wood, who 
remarks that "when I went to Connersville in Sep- 
tember, 1823, there was a society of eight women and 
two men in town — Robert Swift and Thomas Rutter 
— until Joshua Mcintosh moved there from Dayton, 
Ohio." (This was in 1824.) 

In 1825 the site of the present church building 
in which services are held by the German Presbyter- 
ian congregation, on the south side of Fourth Street 
between Water Street and Eastern Avenue, was pur- 
chased from John McCormack, Sr. The deed of 
conveyance bears the date of November 8, 1825. The 
Trustees to whom the deed was made were Joshua 
Mcintosh, Thomas Hinkson, David Melton, Isaac 
Wood and Charles Donivan. During the following 
summer a brick building 22x32 feet was erected 
which was the first building dedicated to God as a 
place of public worship in the city. This building 
was used until 1840, when it was removed and the 
present brick edifice now standing on the same site 
erected. This church edifice served the Methodist 
congregation as a place of worship until the year 
1872, when it was sold to the German Presbyterian 
congregation. The Methodists then worshiped in the 
court house until in January, 1873, when they came 
in possession of the Grand Opera House of the city, 
which they had purchased in December, 1872, at a 
cost of $16,500. 

In the fall of 1848 the church in Connersville 
was divided, and two societies formed, one remaining 
in the old church and the other located on Western 
Avenue. The western society built a house of wor- 
ship on Western Avenue, which was subsequently 



converted into a parsonage, and which continues to 
be occupied as such. The two Connersville societies 
became the heads of two circuits known as the East 
aad West Connersville Circuits. 

In 1850-51 the two societies in Connersville were 
made into stations, and continued as such for three 
years. The pastors in the Western charge were, in 

1851, F. W. White; 1852, Jacob Whiteman; 1853, E. 
D.Long. In the Eastern charge, 1851, J. B. Lathrop; 

1852, Lewis Dale; 1853, Joseph Colton. In 1853 
S. T. Gillett succeeded to the Presiding Eldership on 
the district. The preachers and the Presiding -El- 
ders were clearly of the opinion that the two charges 
should be consolidated into one and under their judi- 
cious management the consolidation was effected and 
the union was ratified by the Bishop of the next ses- 
sion of the annual Conference, and John W. Sullivan 
made the station preacher. 

The following list contains the names of the pas- 
tors from that period, they coming in the fall of the 
year indicated: 

1855, S. P. Crawford; 1856-57, E. G. Tucker; 
1858-59, J. G. Chafee; 1860-61, C. Tinsley; 1862- 
63, J. Cotton; 1864, J. B. Lathrop; 1865-66, R. M. 
Barnes; 1867-68-69, J. S. Tevis; 1870-71-72, G. 
L. Curtis; 1873-74-75, J. K. Pye; 1876-77-78, J. 
G. Chafee; 1879, E. L. Dolph; 1880-81, F. C. Hol- 
liday; 1882-83, J. S. Tevis, the present incum- 
bent. 

The Fifteenth Session of the Indiana Conference 
was held in Connersville in 1846, and the Sixteenth 
Session of the Southeastern Indiana Conference was 
held here in 1867. 

The Presbyterian Church. — In the year 1824 
the Cincinnati Presbytery of the Old School 
branch of the Presbyterian Church sent Rev. 
Daniel Hayden^ to Connersville to preach, and, if 
practicable, to organize a church according to their 
confession of faith. Mr. Hayden arrived in the vil- 
lage on Saturday, October 2, preached in the court 
liouse the next day, and on Monday, the 4th, organ- 
ized a church. A. Van Vleet, Adam Smeltser, and 
John Boyd were elected Ruling Elders. For a num- 
ber of years after their o"rganization they were with- 
out a settled pastor, but were supplied with preach- 
ing from time to time by the Presbytery. In 1833 
they built a church on the lot now occupied by Cald- 
well's Block, facing west. The building was 25x35 
feet, and was erected by Sherman Scofield. The lot 
was deeded to Adam Smeltser, David Ferree and 
Julius Whitmore, the Trustees, by John Williams. 
It was dated March 2, 1833. They hero worshiped 
until about the year 1845, when the Trustees sold the 
property to George Frybarger, and purchased the 
j ground where the Christian Church now stands, from 



158 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Abraham B. Conwell. This deed was made April 
14, 1845. 

The first regular pastor of the church of which 
we can find anj record, was Rev. J. M. Stone. Mr. 
Stone served them for a number of years, when his 
connection with them as pastor was dissolved, and he 
was succeeded by Rev. Charles Sturdevant, who re- 
mained with the church as pastor until 1848, when 
his successor became Rev. William Pelan. Mr. 
Pelan was their pastor for twenty years, preaching 
his farewell sermon on the first Sabbath of June, 
1868. Mr. Pelan was more extensively known through- 
out this valley than any other minister of that denom- 
ination. He was a popular man with the masses, 
both in and out of the church. 

From the fall of 186S until the fall of 1869 the 
Rev. H. M. Shockley supplied the pulpit. In 1870 
the pulpit was supplied by Rev. John H. Link, of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Church of this city. 

In 1851 the Hamilton Presbytery authorized Rev. 
Daniel Tenney, of Oxford, to organize a New School 
Church in Connersville. Accordingly, on the 16th of 
August, 1851, the organization was effected in the 
Temperance Hall. James McCann and P. M. Roots 
were elected Elders. For a time this church was 
supplied with ministers by order of their Presbytery. 

The following ministers have served this branch, 
known as the Second Presbyterian Chiirch, in the 
order in which they are named: Rev. J. Steward, for 
two years; Rev. James Brownlee, two years; Rev. 
Eli B. Smith, two years. It was during Mr. Smith's 
administration, and on the 3d day of September, 
1855, that their church building was dedicated to the 
worship of Almighty God. Mr. Smith was succeeded 
by Rev. B. F. Morris, who served the pastorate two 
years. He was followed by Rev. Daniel A. Bassett, 
and the latter by Rev. A. D. Jimeson. Next came 
Rev. Alexander Parker, who served the pastorate 
from June 3, 1866, to October 24, 1870. Mr. Parker 
was a good man and an efficient pastor. 

In November, 1869, in the city of Pitt8burgh,Penn., 
the two schools of the Presbyterian Church of the 
United States were united, and on the 24th of the 
following October the First and Second Churches of 
Connersville became one church. April 6, 1871, the 
building of the Second Church was chosen by vote as 
the house of worship. The building was repaired in 
1876, and reopened Sunday, August 27, 1876, with a 
sermon by Dr. Coojier, of Covington Ky. 

The Christian Church. — In the summer of 1832 
Dr. R. T. Brown, then of Rush County, settled in 
Connersville, and here engaged in the practice of 
medicine. In August of that year Gabriel Ginn and 
wife Hannah removed to town from the Judge Webb 
neighborhood in the country. These were all mem- 



bers of the Reformed Church, as it was designated; 
and in October of the year referred to above, they held 
services in the court house, which were conducted by 
Elder John O'Kane, a Virginian, though coming to 
Milton in Wayne County, from Lebanon, O., in the 
spring of 1832. O'Kane was engaged in teaching at 
Milton and vicinity, and preached on Sunday in the 
country schoolhouses. The meeting at the court 
house in October was of several days duration, and 
resulted in a number of acce-ssions to the little band. 
Elder O'Kane made the village another visit on Christ- 
mas, and in January, 1833, the church was organized; 
and shortly afterward the Elder removed to Conners- 
ville. In the spring following Elder Jesse Holton 
removed from the State of Kentucky to a farm some 
two miles north of Connersville. Elders Holton and 
Brown served the church in a pastoral relation until 
the former's death in 1839, and the failing health of 
the latter caused him to abandon the practice of medi- 
cine in 1841. 

Among the first membership of the church were 
Dr. R. T. Brown and wife, Gabriel Ginn and wife 
Hannah, Jesse Holton and wife, also son, A. C. 
Holton, and daughter Elizabeth, Mary Helm, Mrs. 
Jacob Vandegrift, Rhoda McKinney and Elijah West 
(colored). 

For two years the society met in the court house, 
when their place of meeting became the upper room 
of the county seminary, which was occupied until the 
brick building on the bluff on East Fifth Street was 
completed in January, 1841. This house of worship 
served them until 1872, when they purchased the 
church building they now occupy on West Fourth 
Street, of the Presbyterian congregation, which they 
remodeled and improved and made of it a neat and 
beautiful church edifice. This was dedicated June 1, 
1873, with a sermon delivered by Elder Isaac Errett, 
editor of the Christian Standard, of Cincinnati. 

Among others of the Eldei's preaching for this 
people have been Thomas Conghley, Jacob Vail, 
Charles Evans, Rolla Henry, Samuel Wilson, Robert 
L. Howe, W. J. Irvin and A. A. Knight. The pres- 
ent Elder of the charge is W. W. Witmer. 

St. Gabriel's Catholic Church. — This religious 
organization has had an existence in Connersville for 
thirty-eight years. The first priest visiting Conners- 
ville in a missionary sense was Rev. Father John 
Ryan, in 1846; he was then a resident priest of the 
parish at Richmond, this State. He visited the people 
of Connersville until in the summer of 1848. His 
successor was Rev. Father William Doyle, who too, was 
a resident of Richmond. He had charge of the Con- 
nersville Mission from May, 1849, until August, 1853. 
The residence of Andrew Apert was one of the early 
places where mass was saidj in Connersville. The 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



159 



ground on North Eastern Avenue, upon which now 
stands the old brick house of worship of the parish, 
was purchased by Father Doyle, and the church 
erected thereon in 1851 and named St. Gabriel's. 
The first resident priest of Connersville was Rev. 
Father Henry Peters, who came to the parish in 1853 
and completed the church structure and erected the 
present parsonage. Father Peters served the church 
as its pastor for twenty-one years, severing his con- 
nection with it by death, in January, 1874. His suc- 
cessor was Rev. Father Peter Bischof, who, in 1876, 
was succeeded by Father J. B. H. Leepe, and he, in 
1881, by Father J. Rudolph, who is still in charge- 

The present magnificent and commodious church 
edifice of the congregation was commenced in the 
spring of 1882, the corner-stone being laid June 11 
of that year. The services were conducted by Rt. 
Rev. Bishop F. S. Chatard, D. D., of Vincennes, 
assisted by Revs. Ferdinand, of Indianapolis; Peters, 
of Oldenburg; Fischer, of Reading, Ohio; DeArco, 
of Liberty; Oster, of Cambridge City, and Rudolph, 
of Connersville. The church was 'dedicated to the 
service of Almighty God, June 15, 1884. The dedi- 
catory services were after the usual custom of the 
church on such occasions and were imposing. The 
same Bishop who laid the corner-stone conducted the 
services at the dedication and delivered the sermon. 
There were present many clergymen from various 
parts of the country, and a great concourse of people 
who participated in the exercises. 

The beautiful edifice, a credit to its builders, and 
an ornament to the city, is located in the northwest- 
ern part of the city, and is constructed of brick with 
stone trimmings. It is of Gothic design. The architect 
was D. A. Bohlen of Indianapolis, and it was built 
by Downs, Ready & Co. , of Connersville. The 
length of the building is 165 feet; width 56 feet 
proper, and 75 feet across the wings; the height of 
the ceiling is 40 feet, and the top of the spire is 185 
feet from the gi-ound; cost of building in the neigh- 
borhood of $30,000. 

On the erection of the old church in 1851, school 
was held in the small basement below. In 1872 the 
present commodious brick schoolhouse was com- 
pleted, since which time the schools have been con- 
ducted by the Sisters of Providence. 

Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church. — Episcopal 
services were commenced in this parish under the 
charge of Rev. William Miller, November 3, 1850, 
the Town Hall being used for the purposes. The 
organization of the parish was accomplished May 24, 
1852. A chapel building 40x22 feet adjoining the 
present edifice was erected in 1855, and services were 
'first held in it on the visitation of Bishop Upfold, 
April 15, 1855. 



November 17, 1856, the corner-stone of the pres- 
ent beautiful edifice situated on the southeast corner 
of Eastern Avenue and Sixth Street was laid by 
Bishop Upfold with appropriate religious services. 
The stone was laid in the name of the Holy Trinity. 
At the site of the church the Bishop and clergy with 
the congregation read alternately the 122d Psalm. 
A number of articles enclosed in a leaden box were 
deposited in the stone by the Rector. After the cere- 
monies they proceeded to the chapel, ^where^an able 
and eloquent address was delivered by the Bishop. 
The edifice was completed and consecrated Novem- 
ber 1, 1859, by Rt. Rev. George Uphold, D. D., 
built mainly through the untiring efforts of Mrs. 
Mary S. Helm. The style of the building is early 
English or first pointed, purely Gothic, after a 
chaste and beautiful design furnished by Frank 
Wills, architect, of New York. Mr. Miller continued 
his services with the congregation for probably a 
year or more, and later Rev. J. W. Stewart became 
the regular Rector of the church and served for a 
period of about six years, closing with the beginning 
of the war of the Rebellion. Missionaries coming 
from the cities of Indianapolis and Richmond served 
the charge for a time, then in October, 1868, Rev. W. 
W. Hibben became identified with the parish as Lay 
Reader and was subsequently ordained as minister 
in charge. From 1873 to 1875 Rev. J. S. Harrison, 
M. D., served the parish as Missionary Rector. Sup- 
plies by visiting Rectors were then had until in 1879, 
when Rev. Jesse R. Bicknell gave to this people semi- 
monthly and quarterly Sunday services, and follow- 
ing him in 1880 Rev. J. Clausen, who gave them 
regular times until in 1881, since which time until 
the spring of 1884 they have been under the mis- 
sionary auspices of Rev. T. Test, M. D., of Richmond, 

The German Presbyterian, Church was organized 
May 7, 1871, by Rev. F. F. Friedgen, of Shelbyville. 
The original membership was twenty-four. Until in 
1873 services were held in the Presbyterian Church 
building on Fourth Street, now the house of worship 
of the Christian society of the city. In 1873 the 
German congregation purchased the building they 
have since occupied of the Methodists, for which 
they paid $2,650. It is a one-story brick building 
with basement, located on Fourth Street between 
Water and Eastern Avenue. Mr. Friedgen has 
served the congregation continuously from its organi- 
zation, and also the Sabbath-school as its superin- 
tendent. The present church membership is about 
eighty. 

The African Methodist Episcopal Church. — Some 
forty odd years ago a few of the colored people of 
the city and vicinity occasionally assembled for relig- 
ious worship wherever suitable quarters could be 



160 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



found, and were administered to by Rev. William 
Head, of Decatur County. In an upper room of a 
building on the Heineman corner, and in an old log- 
lioiise in the northern part of town (on Eastern 
Avenue) were amoag the places above referred to 
where worship was occasionally held. In subsequent 
years an organization was effected, and the little 
frame church building, now occupied as a dwelling- 
house, standing on the brow of the hill just east of 
their present church, was erected, which was used 
until in 1872, when the present brick house of wor- 
ship on Fifth Street was purchased of the Christian 
Church for $2,500. 

Among the early members of the society were Mrs. 
Margaret Turner, George Mitchell, Mrs. Dolly Wil- 
son, James Freeman and wife, James Franklin and 
wife, and a Mrs. Powell. 

Revs. Davis, Woodfork, Daniel Winslow, John 
Myers, John Payne were some of the early preachers 
in charge of the congregation. Rev. Charles Jones 
is the present pastor of the church. 

The German United Evangelical Church was 
organized at the court house, in August, 1882, by 
Rev. F. E. W. Bersch, with a membership of about 
forty (heads of families). Mr. Bersch served the 
congregation between one and two years, when suc- 
ceeded by Rev. C. Thomas, the present incumbent. 
The society is without a church building, having 
worshiped since organization in the City Hall. 

SOCIETIES. 

Warren Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M., was institu- 
ted under a charter October 24, 1820, in an upper 
room of Sample's Hotel, which was located on the 
Boutliwest corner of what is now Eastern Avenue and 
Fifth Street. On this date the following-named 
seven men met for the purpose named, and constitu- 
ted the charter members of the Lodge: John Sam- 
ple, Edward J. Kidd, John Conner, Larkin Sims, 
Heni'y Bates, Julius Whitmore and Joshua Harlan. 
At their first meeting John Newland was admitted a 
Master Mason from some other lodge, and four peti- 
tions were presented. It is not definitely known who 
was the first Worshipful Master of the lodge, but 
from the fact that the name of John Sample appears 
as approving the Treasui'er's report in December, 
1821, it is presumed that he was such oiScor. March 
13, 1824, the lodge purchased Lot No. 18 of Larkin 
Sims, for which was paid $110. March 30 of the 
same year the lodge removed to a two-story frame 
building standing thereon. This was subsequently 
sold to W. M. Smith for 1400. Their next place of 
assembling was in a room over the saddler shop of 
Joseph Nelson, which was on Central Avenue, the 
first meeting at this place being held May 29, 1847. 



The next move was to a room over what is now the 
First National Bank, northwest corner of Central 
Avenue and Fifth Street, where the lodge coatinued 
to meet until the completion and dedication of the 
present commodious hall, the third story of the City 
Hall Building, in 1849. From 1820 to 1878 the lodge 
had had twenty-three Worshipful Masters. 

Maxwell Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., was insti- 
tuted December 7, 1850, with the following named 
charter members: J. W. Maxwell, H. P. ; John Higgin- 
botham, K. ; Caleb B. Smith, S. ; Philip Mason, C. of 
H. ; William Pelan, P. S. ; G. R. Chitwood, R. A. C. ; 
William B. Enyart, G. M., 1st V. ; Daniel Bench, 
G. M., 2d v.; Thomas McGiven, G. M., 3d V. ; W. 
W. Frybarger, Secretary; and George McCann, 
Guard. The chajster has at present a membership of 
about thirty-three, and is officered as follows: 

A. M. Sinks, H. P. ; G. R. Chitwood, K. ; L. Mc- 
intosh, S. ; J. D. McNaughton, C. of H. ; John Payne, 
P. S. ; O. P. Griffith, R. A. C. ; H. C. Eliason, G. M. 
3dV.;G. W. Keller. G. M. 2d V.; John Savage, 
G. M. 1st v.; P. B, Wood, Treasurer; A. Watt, Sec- 
retary, N. Taylor, Guard. 

Fayette Council, No 6, R. & S. M., was instituted 
under charter February 4, 1856, or 28, 1856, Y. D. 
The charter members and first officers were as follows: 
William Hacker, T. I. G. M. ; Companion Maxwell, 
D. I. G. M.; Companion Lynde, P. C. of W.; Com- 
panion Wolf, Captain of G. ; Companion Higgin- 
botham. Treasurer; Companion Ramsey, Recorder; 
Companion Gunn, G. & S. ; Companions Frybarger, 
Clinedist and Mason. Present membership about 
thirty. Present officers: A. M. Sinks, I. M. ; L. Mc- 
intosh, D. I. M. ; Joshua Leach, P. C. of W. ; J. D. 
McNaughton, C. of G.; P. B. Wood, Treasurer; A. 
Watt, Recorder; Noah Tryon, S. & S. 

Fayette Lodge, No. 31, I. 0. O. F., was chartered 
July 11, 1849, and instituted in an upper room of the 
building now occiipied by Dr. Vance as a residence 
on Fourth Street, near the Huston House, then the 
Canal office, by Special Deputy Thomas Wilson, of 
Centerville, in the afternoon of August 13, 1849. The 
charter members and first officers were J. F. Youse, 
N. G. ; Anthony Watt, V. G.; Calvin Davis, Secretary; 
H. J. Kern, Treasurer; J. M. Hiatt. The present 
officers are C. W. Woodcock, N. G. ; A. H. Reiman, 
V. G. ;l. M. Purt, Recording Secretary; Eli Earl, 
Permanent Secretary; John C. Bailey, Treasurer. 

Whitewater Encampment, No. 33, I. O. O. F., 
was instituted March 17, 1853, by Special Deputy 
Daniel Moss, assisted by Patriarchs from Cambridge 
City. The first officers were S. M. Youst, C. P.; 
William P. Applegate, H. P.; J. M. Hart, S. W.; 
John F. Youse, J. W.; A. H. Hotchkiss, Scribe; Con- 
rad Wolf, Treasm'er. The present officers are Thomas 



^7, 





t-nj 



8//uj 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



163 



Shaw, C. P.; J. L. Bailey, H. P.; I. M. Part, S. W.; 
G. Woods, J. W. ; Eli Earl, Recording Scribe; A. Watt, 
F. S. ; E. K. Wetherald, Treasurer. 

Whitewater Lodge, No. 2557, I. O. O. F., was 
instituted under disponsation granted May 12, 1884, 
with twenty-seven charter membor.i. The lirst ofBcers 
were John Taylor, P. S. ; Columbus Williams, E. S. ; 
Harvey Smith, Treasurer; C. A. Bailey, N. F. ; Frank 
Davis, P. & F. ; Jefferson Benson, N. G. ; C. P. Har- 
rington, P. N. G. ; James Pearce, V. G. ; Charles Van 
Horn, R. S. to N. V. ; Latin Dudgeon, L. S. to N. 
G. ; Thomas Collins, R. S. to V. G. ; John Williams, 
L. S. to V. G.; Charles Rice, W.; Robert Pointer, C; 
Levi Jennings, L G. ; Jefferson Smith, W. C. ; Henry 
Anderson, M. ; Sylvester Williams, A. 

Connersville Lodge, No 11, Knights of Pythias, 
was instituted November 18, 1870, by C. P. Carty, 
with nineteen charter members. The first officers 
were W. H. Hatton, C. C. ; James Williams, V. C. ; 
W. H. Oroaton, P.; M. Kahn, K. of R. & S.; Thomas 
Shaw, M. of E. ; George Hatton, M. of F. ; John 
Snider. M. at A; T. E. Woodward, J. G.; Charles 
Holland, O. G. The present officers are G. C. Pelzel, 
P. C; L. D. Batavia, C. C; A. D. Terrell, V. C; 
George Rees, P.; Eli Earl, M. of E. ; E. E. Genn, 
M. of F. ; W. F. Downs, K. of R. & S.; Alexander 
James, M. at A.; A. G. Honey, J. G. ; Samuel Bal- 
lard, O. G. 

Carnahan Division, No. 17, Uniform Rank, 
Knights of Pythias, was instituted February 11, 
1884, by James R. Carnahan, of Indianapolis. The 
charter membership was forty-nine, the largest of the 
seventeen divisions in the State. The officers chosen 
were as follows: J. H. Fearis, S. K. C; Fred Pfaefif- 
lin; S. K. L. C. ; W. F. Downs, S. K. H. ; Lon D. 
Batavia, S. K. G. ; G. C. Pelzel, S. K. S. ; J. C 
Ocheltree, S. K. R.; C. F. Serodino, S. K. T. 

Valley Lodge No. 31, U. O. of H., was instituted 
in the hall of the P. O. S. of A., by the Grand Lodge 
representative, J. J. Taylor, of Indianapolis, on the 
20th of March, 1883, with a charter membership of 
thirty-six. The first officers were L. L. Broaddus, P. 
P. ; J. D. McNaughton, P. ; Clinton Hudson, V. P. ; 
Dr. L. D. Dillman, Instructor: T. H. Barton, R. S.; 
J. D. Larnard, F. S.; D. C. Banes, Treasurer; Rev. 
T. M. Wiles, Chaplain; Charles Ford, C; W. G. 
Plummer, I. G. ; B. C. Anderson, O. G. ; Dr. L. D. 
Dillman, M. E. The present officers are as follows: 
J. D. McNaughton, P. P.; T. H. Barton, P.; J. M. 
Backhouse, V. P. ; W. C. Porter, R. S. ; Joseph E 
Petty, F. S.; D. C. Banes, Treasurer; Rev. T. M- 
Wiles, Chaplain; J. M. Shephard, C. ; Frank Hoover, 
I. G.; C. N. Hudson, O. G.; Dr. G. Pigman, 
M. I. 

Washington Camp, No. 1, P. O. S. of A., was 



constituted by authority of the National Camp of 
Philadelphia, who granted it a charter July 31,1875. 
The charter members were Park Smith, H. A. 
Nichols, Thomas S. Cline, John S. Carr, M. P. 
Wherrett, J. E. McFarlan, C. M. Harrison, John 
Verdan, R. I. Savage, L. S. Morris, J. W. Foutz, S. 
Bullard, Frank Miller, J. F. Youse, Jr., William 
Hoover, G. S. Johnson, W. W. Morse, Morrison 
Long, William Harrell, John Parson, W. Kerr, John 
Henry and John Miller. The present membership 
of the Encampment and Council is about fifty. Pres- 
ent officers: Frank Miller, Pres. ; E. J. Whelan, V. P.; 
Joseph Rinehart, M. of F. & C. ; J. M. Waldrip, R. S. ; 
T. H. Stoops, F. S.; J. H. Fritch, Treasurer; S. W. 
Hutchins, Conductor; Charles Snow, I. G. ; William 
Enos, O. G. 

Fort Fayette Council, W. D., P. O. S. of A., 
instituted at the same time with Washington Camp, 
having same charter members, officers, etc. 

Connersville Post, No. 126, G. A. R., was insti- 
tuted by P. C. Iliff, O. D. Webster, Adjt. Pixell and 
Q. M. Sergt. Campbell, of Richmond, Ind. , January 
9, 1883, at which time thirty-five comrades were mus- 
; tered in, constituting the charter membership. The 
first officers of the Post were J. A. Dunn, P. C. ; 

C. W. Plumber, S. V. C. ; Capt. Johnson, J. W. C. ; 
W. N. Young. O. D. ; H. Van Kooten, O. G. ; John 
W. Ross, Q. M.; James M. Waldrip, Surgeon; T. M. 
Little, Chaplain; W. A. Jewess, Adjutant; T. J. 
Clark, S. M. ; Robert Utter, Q. S. The present mem- 
bership of the Post is 131. The present officers are 
J. A. Dunn, P. C. ; Adolph Secrist, S. V. C; John A. 
elephant, J. V. C; W. N. Young, Q. M.; H. Van 
Kooten, Surgeon; T. J. Clark, O. D. ; H. B. Wood- 
cock, O. G. ; Thomas Little, Chaplain, and John 
Payne, Adjutant; Robert Utter, Q. S. 

Davis Camp, No. 4, S. of V., was instituted at 
the hall of the P. O. S. of A., in Caldwell's Block, 
March 7, 1884, by Col. J. E. Edmondson, of Elletts- 
ville, Ind.. assisted by members of Connersville Post, 
No. 126, G. A. R. The camp was organized with 
a membership of nineteen, and named in honor of 
Lieut. A. M. Davis, who was wounded at the battle 
of Shiloh, and died from the effects of the wound. 
The officers chosen were: Frank L. Johnson, Captain; 

D. P. Forrester, First Lieutenant; Charles Sample, 
Second Lieutenant; Charles Smith, Chaplain; Charles 
Hendrickson, Surgeon; George Keller, Orderly Ser- 
geant; George Healy, Q. M.; William Henry, S. of 
G.; N. Kribs, C G. ; Frank Van Kooten, Ordinance 
Sergeant; Henry Johnson, C. S. ; Frank Drescher, C. 
G. ; John Lutz, P. G. ; Frank Johnson, Preston H. 
Kensler and Frank Clee, C. C. The present mem- 
bership is about thirty. 

The I. O. G. T. Society at Connersville was organ- 



164 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



ized March 17, 1880, with twenty-six charter mem- 
oers. The first officers were as follows: W. C. T., 
Thomas Smith; W. V. T., Nancy Ehinehart; W.Chap. 
W. H. Enos.; W. Sec, F. O. Sisct; W. F. S., John 
Bnrns; W. T., L. M. Mcintosh; W. M., George Bul- 



lard; W. D. M., J. H. Lillie; W. Q. G., J. P. Ley- 
endecker; W. O. G., George Schweikle; W. R. S., 
Henry Biefield; W. D. S., Reuben Snow; P. W. C. 
T., Nelson Huston. The present membership of the 
society is 125. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



CONNERSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 

ORGANIZATION ANU BOUNDARIES— LAND SALES— EARLY SETTLEMENT AND INCIDENTS— EARLY SCHOOLS, EARLY 
MILLS, DISTILLERIES, ETC.— CHURCHES AND GRAVEYARDS— EAST CONNERSVILLE — MAPLEWOOD— HALF- 
CENTURY CITIZENS. 



/"CONNERSVILLE TOWNSHIP was organized 
^-^ February 9, 1819, and its boundaries as then 
described wore: " Beginning at the southeast corner 
of Section 5, Township 13, Range 13; thence west to 
the western extremity of said county of Fayette; 
thence north four miles; thence east to the line divid- 
ing Sections 20 and 17, in Township 14, Range 12; 
thence east to the northeast corner of Section 20, in 
Township 14, Range 13, south to the place of begin- 
ning." In addition to its present territory, the town- 
ship then included the two southern tiers of sections 
of Fairview Township, and the two northern tiers of 
sections of Orange Township, which land was taken 
from it on the organization of Orange Township, in 
1822. It is the largest township of the county, hav- 
ing thirty-two full sections of land, and is centrally 
located. 

LAND SALES. 

The lands of the township as disposed of by the 
Government, with the year of sale and the purchas- 
ers' names, are set forth in the following list: 

Township 14 north. Range 13 east. 

Section 31, sold in 1811, to Samuel Harlan. 

Section 30, sold in 1811, to Robert Brown, George 
Fragin, John Hughes and George R. Adair. 

Section 19, sold in 1811, to Abraham and David 
Heaton, Robert Brown and Jacob Case. 

Section 20, sold in 1812-13, to George Death, 
B. Homar, James Death, Sr., and Thomas Brown. 

Section 29, sold in 1813-14-15, to Isaac Martin, 
Joel White, James Ward and Phineas McCray. 

I Section 32, sold in 1814-15, to James Freel, Dan- 
iel Conner, Robert Williams and John Wilson. 

Township 13 north. Range 12 east. 

Section 1, sold in 1811 , 1813 and 1817, to Jeremiah 
Worsham, James Teudy, Nathan Aldridge and Basil 
Roberts. 



Section 2, sold in 1811-12, to William McConley, 
Roberts and Birson, Arthur Dixon and John Reed. 

Section 3 sold in 1811 and 1814, to Joshua Por- 
ter, John Vance, Samuel Snodgrass and James 
Kitchen. 

Section 4 sold in 1813 and 1814, to William Con- 
ner, John Thomas, Joseph Vance and Thomas Cully. 

Section 5 sold in 1813 and 1814, to William Maman, 
James Heron and John Thompson. 

Fractional section in 1814 and 1820, to Benjamin 
Sailor, William Martin and William Dailey. 

Township 14 north, Range 12 east. 

Section 36 sold in 1811 and 1813, to Arthur Dixon, 
William Sparks, Larkin Sims and William Denman. 

Section 27 sold in 1813, 1814 and 1815, to Abner 
Ball, John Henderson, Smith Lane and William Hall. 

Section 28 sold in 1813, 1814, 1815, and 1816, to 
John Fallen, James Alexander, Thomas Smith and 
James Smith. 

Section 29 sold in 1813, 1814, 1815 and 1816, to 
Alexander Saxon, James Alexander, James Smith and 
Jonas Williams, Jr. 

Section 30 .sold in 1814, 1820 and 1823, to Will- 
iam Sparks, Jonathan Eddy, Ira Wilcox, John 
McCrary and John McMillan. 

Section 31 sold in 1812, 1820, 1821 and 1823, to 
Hezekiah Mount, John Gregg, Jonathan Wilson and 
Samuel Ennis. 

Section 32 sold in 1813, 1814, 1816 and 1833, to 
John Vance, William Weir, William Bridges and 
James Greer. 

Section 33 sold in 1811, 1814 and 1817, to Joseph 
Justice, William Snodgrass, John Hughes and Plat 
B. Dickson. 

Section 34 sold in 1811, 1813 and 1814, to Thomas 
Reed, Moses Lockhart, James Brownlee and Thomas 
Hinkson. 



HISTOEY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



165 



Section 35 sold in 1811 and 1813, to John Kussell, 
Joseph Miner, John Perin and H. and B. Sailor. 

Section 23 sold in 1811 1812 and 1815, to Lewis 
Johnson, John Conner, Benjamin Sailor, Larkin Sims 
and A. Baily. 

Section 24 sold in 1811 and 1812, to Jacob Cass, 
Jacob Hackleman, Benjamin Sailor and Noah Beau- 
camp. 

Section 25 sold in 1811 and 1812 to James Adair, 
Alexander Saxon, John Conner and A. Tharpe. 

Section 28 sold in 1811, 18U and 1815, to A. 
Hathaway, Jonas Williams, John Perin and James 
Port. 

Section 19 sold in 1821, 1822, 1824 and 1830, to 
John Huston, Scott Horsely, Isaac Martin, A. R- 
Orr, David Milton and Benjamin Huston. 

Section 20 sold in 1811 and 1813, to Timothy Orr, 
Zachariah Glover, John Henderson and William Den- 
man. 

Section 21 sold in 1811 and 1813, to David Milton, 
Paul Davis, Benjamin Bond and William Bennett. 

Section 22 sold in 1811 and lS14,to Richard Tyner, 
Piatt B. Dixon, Adam Hamilton and James Dehaven. 

Township 13 north, Range 13 east. 

Section 5 sold in 1814 and 1815, to Daniel Norris, 
John Milliner and Cornelius Cummins. 

Section 6 sold in 1811, 1813 and 1814, to Samuel 
Harlan, Richard Thomas, Cornelius Williams and 
Thomas Bray. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND INCIDENTS. 

The first settlement in the township was made at 
Conner's trading-post or station, some time between 
the years 1804 and 1808. Here John Conner and 
family are believed to have dwelt for several years 
among the Indians, with no white neighbors save 
those on East Fork and on West Fork in what are 
now Union and Franklin Counties. However, the 
lands surrounding him were settled at a period be- 
ginning about the year 1811. 

Alexander Saxon with family emigrated from 
Georgia in the fall of 1811, and settled on the south- 
east quarter of Section 25. Near a point opposite 
where the lower mill in Connersville now stands, was 
the place for crossing the river. Here Mr. Saxon 
kept a canoe, and ferried travelers across the river. 
n The localities of settlement of a number of the 
following named pioneers can be traced by reference 
to the land entries given above. Moses Lookhart 
from Kentucky, settled in the township in 1812. 
Thomas Reed, from the same State, settled the same 
year. Joseph Minor located on the land where Joe 
and Sam Minor now live in 1812. John and Thomas 
Reed built cabins on the same land. They were 
father and son. Larkin Sims, from Kentucky, and 



Tobias Smith, from Virginia, located on their land in 
1812. 

Thomas Sergeant, a native of North Carolina, 
removed with his parents to Virginia in 1796. In 
1807 he removed to Kentucky, and in 1813 to Indiana 
Territory, and settled south of Connersville. In 
1820 he entered land in Rush County |at the land 
sales at Brookville, and that winter removed thereon, 
cutting the road for the wagon as he went. 

Thomas Hinkson emigrated from Ireland to 
America in 1791, subsequently located in Adams 
County, Ohio, and in February, 1814, settled in this 
township on the land where his son Thomas, Jr. , now 
resides, which he had entered at Cincinnati, in the 
year 1812. The elder Thomas Hinkson was 
appointed the first surveyor of the county by Gov. 
Jennings, which position he occupied a number of 
years. He did much of the early surveying in this 
and in adjoining counties, having laid out some of 
the early additions to (Connersville. His death 
occurred in 1850. 

John McCormack settled in the vicinity of Con- 
nersville very early, and in the act forming the 
county, his house was designated as the place for 
holding the first courts. Further reference is made 
to him in the history of Columbia Township. 

Nathaniel Hamilton and family emigrated from 
Pennsylvania to Indiana Territory in 1810, and 
located above Brookville in the adjoining county, 
where they remained during the war of 1812, and in 
the spring of 1815 removed to what is now this town- 
ship, on land entered by a son, Adam Hamilton. 
Nathaniel, Jr., a son of the pioneer, was born in 
1798, and is yet a resident of the vicinity where he, 
with his parents, located nearly seventy years ago. 
He is yet in possession of all of his faculties, with a 
clear mind, and is remarkably well preserved in body. 
Two of the sohs of Nathaniel, Sr. , were in the war of 
1812. 

In 1815, besides those heretofore mentioned (all 
of whom resided west of the river) there had located 
on the same side of that stream John Philpott, emi- 
grating from Kentucky, located in the northern part 
of the township in September, 1814 (on the Ezra 
Martin farm); Stanhope and Robert Royster, the 
former of whom served for a number of years as 
County Commissioner and one of the Associate 
Judges of the county; John Perin, a native of Mas- 
sachusetts, who (in 1811) settled on land adjoining 
Hinkson; Benjamin Sailor (of the family who set- 
tled early in Franklin County) resided on the present 
farm of A. B. Claypool; Paul Davis, son of George, 
and James Alexander, from South Carolina; Zach- 
ariah Glover and one Hazlerigg; a Mr. Lacy; Benja- 
min Booe, from North Carolina, settled in Franklin 



166 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



County in 1810, and in 1814 removed to this town- 
ship; Avery Gates, a native of Massachusetts, 
though for years a resident of New York, from 
whence he emigrated to this township in 1817. 

James Brownlee emigrated from Ohio to Frank- 
lin County, from whence he was gent as one of the 
delegates to frame the State Constitution. He came 
to this township about the year 1816, and subsequently 
filled the office of Associate Judge, and was a man 
of some prominence. 

John Miller, from Scott County, Ky., settled west 
of Connersville in 1819. 

Of those who settled east of the river early was 
William Sparks, who had early emigrated from Lau- 
rens District, S. C, and settled east of East Fork, in 
what is now Union County, and in October, 1814, 
removed to the Stephen Stoops place. James O'Dare, 
from the same State, settled in the same neighborhood 
about that time. South of Sparks located Nathan 
Aldridge, from Tennessee, in 1814. In the same 
vicinity and about 1814 or 1815 settled Samuel 
Harlan from South Carolina, James Tweedy, Corne- 
lius Williams and William Edwards. 

Joseph Justice emigrated to Indiana Territory in 
1811, and located in the vicinity of Connersville in 
1815. 

John Swift with his parents, from the State of 
New Jersey, settled in Ohio, and in 1818 came to 
what is now Connersville Township. 

William Jones, from Bracken County, Ky. (though 
a Virginian), with parents settled here in 1816. 

In 1813 Douglass Burton, with family, emigrated 
from South Carolina to Scott County, Ky., and in 
1819 located on land north of Connersville, just over 
the line in Harrison Township, where the father died 
the summer following, aud soon thereafter the widow 
with her children removed to what is now the Infirm- 
ary Farm. Calvin Barton and brother Thomas, yet 
residents of Connersville and vicinity, are two of the 
number. 

The following extracts are from a letter written 
for the Examiner, in which it appeai-ed in 1878 over 
the signature of Brutus. The writer's early home was 
in the vicinity of Longwood, which he bad been 
absent from for a period of fifteen years: 

" Fifty years since I 'pitched my tent'ou tlie shores of this 
beautiful stream (Williams Creek). Scarcely a soul lives here 
now that lived here then. What is called the ' rolling prairie, ' 
the'farm of Garner Clawson, was then owned by one Car- 
michael. He sold it to John Trent and John Alexander. Dan. 
iel Cunningham, a Baptist preacher, owned the farm where 
Willis Ball's stone quarry now is. little dreaming that such 
huge slabs of flagging were lying beneath bis hallowed feet, 
while Amos Smith, a brick mason, lived on the farm now 
owned by John Tate. John McCrory, an Irishman from 
Pennsylvania, settled where James Ochiltree now lives. 
He was a tailor by trade and a good citizen. He lived until 



a few years ago, and died leaving a number of descendants, 
most of whom live in this county. At that time John and 
Benjamin Huston owned the farm now in possession of 
Robert Moffett. They sold it to John Kellum, a citizen from 
Preble County, Ohio. This farm supported a still-house 
under the control of John Philpott, who also run another 
one on the farm now owned by Ezra Martin, but which 
belonged to him at that time. A little further up the creek 
lived an excellent character by the name of John Horsley. 
Frederick Sane lived on the same farm. Jonathan McCarty, 
a Member of Congress, owned eighty' acres just west of Hors- 
leys, which in later years was known as ' Manis Porch,' and 
was a great resort for the boys. The farm is now possessed 
by Justice Reese and ' Dest-a-gob ' was its occupant. John 
Philpott and his son Will entered the farm known as the 
Moffett farm in 1838, and erected a flouring-mill thereon. A 
postofBce was afterward estaVilished here called Philpott's 
Mills. The name was afterward changed to Longwood, by 
Ross Smiley, in honor of the home of Napoleon at St. Helena. 
Mr. Smiley was the Postmaster for a quarter of a century. 
Dr. Ball came from Ohio and settled where his son Willis 
now lives, and has long since gone to that bourne from whence 
there is no return. Jacob Smith, a Pennsylvanian, and a 
Revolutionary soldier, the grandfather of our fellow-citizen, 
Sanford Smith, settled on the farm upon which Sanford is 
now nobly supporting his estimable mother. It was at the 
battle of Trenton, that, being hotly pursued by the British, 
he took his stand on a high bridge, solitary and alone, and 
as the enemy advanced he would pitch them over the side of 
the bridge with his bayonet, far down in the water below. 
He disposed of a score or two in this way. when the enemy 
yielded, and Jacob came off victorious; he fought nobly. 
Zachariah Glover then lived where Sam Atherton now resides, 
and ran a still-bouse. He sold to John Smiley, and he to 
Stout Atherton. Isaac Martin lived at the cross-roads just 
east of here, and was known as ' Amazing Grace,' on account 
of its piety. Timothy Orr lived where Theodore Applegate 
now lives. John Hawkins entered eighty acres where Sisson 
Joe now lives, after which he bought of Daniel Campbell, 160 
acres joining him on the east. John Philpott, Jr., entered the 
Uncle George Smith farm, and built a meeting-house on what 
is now John Ludlow's farm in the year 1842. He was a Uoi- 
versalist in belief, and did all he could for the advancement 
of religion. The house was dedicated by a Methodist minis- 
ter by the name of Stone, who lived where Hamilton White 
now resides. Quite a number of the old pioneer preachers 
used to preach there, among whom were James Smith, Peter 
Wiles, Arthur Miller, George Campbell, Jacob Daubenspeck 
and a great many others. Still-bouses used to be numerous. 
There was one at Benjamin Booe's, Josh Wallace's and John 
Trents'. It was at the latter place that a man by the name 
of Massey shot and killed a negro. Massey made his escape 
and never was heard of after. John Ludlow, who is still 
among us, came here in 1839 and is one of the oldest residents 
in this part of the county. ****** 

Jonathan John, from Kentucky, settled in the 
vicinity of Connersville in 1816. He resided on the 
hill west of the city and his name, as will be noticed 
by the reader who peruses the pages of this volume, 
was closely indentified with the business interests of 
the county. He was an intimate friend of the Indian 
trader, John Conner. His death occurred in 1838. 

The Adairs, Russells and Martins settled in the 
township early. About 1819 the McCrorys, John and 
William, settled in the township. Jeremiah Worgh- 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



167 



aman from Virginia, located along the river in 
1811. John Baily and family, from the State of 
Kentucky, removed to Connersville in 1819, and sub- 
sequently located on a farm five miles west of the vil- 
lage. Thomas White, from Tennessee, with parents, 
settled quite early in the township. Justice Wright 
located on Fall Creek in 1821. He was a native of 
Pennsylvania. As early as 1812 Joseph Minor, a 
native of Kentucky, located where his son Joseph now 
resides. In 1814 J. F. Marshall, a native of Vir- 
ginia, located in the township. William Edwards, a 
native of Maryland, settled here in 1817, also Rawl- 
ston Shields, a native of Pennsylvania, the same year. 
W. H. H. Tate settled here early. 

Hon. Oliver H. Smith, in his "Early Indiana," 
thus speaks of one of the early settlers of the vicinity of 
Connersville: "In early times before the first land 
sales of the beautiful Whitewater Valley, where Con- 
nersville, Liberty, Cambridge City, Centerville and 
Richmond now stand, there lived upon the east bank 
of Whitewater, a mile above Connersville, a most 
remarkable woman by the name of Betty Frazier. 
She was a small, tough looking, rather swarthy, 
woman. Her husband, George Frazier, was a poor 
cripple, and with their children was entirely sup- 
ported by Betty. They had settled upon a small 
fraction of Government land, intending to purchase 
at the sales. The land office was at Cincinnati, and 
Gen. James Findley was the receiver. The spring of 
the year, after a severe winter, had come; the sales 
were to take place the next winter, and Betty had the 
season before her to raise the money to pay for her 
land. She commenced with a young stock of hogs, 
caring for them daily, driving them to the best mast, 
and preparing a good patch of corn for the fattening 
process. She had one horse only to tend her crop, 
and to ride to Cincinnati when she drove her hogs 
down to sell, and buy her land. 

" One day about mid-summer she saw a horseman 
ride up to her cabin in full uniform. She met him 
at the bars: 'Well Gen. Hanna, how do you do?' 
'Very well, Mrs. Frazier.' 'What on earth has 
brought you all the way from Brookville to my poor 
cabin ? ' 'I am very sorry to tell you, Mrs. Frazier, 
that I am the Sheriff, and have an execution against 
your property.' ' Well, General, I always submit to 
the law; come with me to the stable and I will give 
you my only horse, as the best I can do. ' There were 
no ' exemption laws ' then. Betty and the General 
proceeded to the stable. It was a strong log build- 
ing with a single door, no window, overlaid with a 
solid platform of logs, and filled above with hay for 
the horse. The door fastened outside with a large 
wooden pin in a log. ' There, General, is the horse — 
take him.' The General stepped in and commenced 



untying the horse. Betty immediately fastened the 
door outside, driving the pin into the hole to its full 
length, and left the General to his reflections while 
she attended to her household affairs. Time passed 
away; night came on, but no relief to the captured 
General. Morning came, and with it came Betty. 
' Well, General, how did you sleep last night.' ' Not 
very well. I am ready to compromise this matter; if 
you will let me out and show me the ford over White- 
water (the river was muddy and high), I will leave 
you and the horse and return the execution ' no prop- 
erty found.' 'Upon honor?' ' Yes, upon honor.' 
Betty opened the door. The General mounted his 
horse and silently followed Betty down to the river 
side. ' There, General, you will go in just above the 
big sycamore, and come out at that haw-bush you see.' 
The General started; at the second step both horse 
and rider were under water out of sight, and the 
chapeau of the General was floating down the river. 
Still, he being one of the pioneer.s, and bis horse a 
trained swimmer, gallantly stemmed the current, and 
exactly struck the haw-bush, his horse swimming to 
the very, shore, while Betty stood on the bank scream- 
ing, ' I guess the Brookville oflicers will let me 
alone now until I have sold my pigs and bought my 
land.' The General rode on dripping wet to his 
brigade that mustered that day. But the end was not 
yet. Time rolled on; the pigs grew to be well fatted 
hogs. Betty mounted her pony; the little boys 
started the pigs for Cincinnati; they had ten days to 
get there before the land sales; the distance was 
about seventy miles. Nothing unusual occurred on 
the road until they arrived at New Trentoi, at Squire 
Rockafellow's. The night was stormy; the snow fell 
deep; next morning found Betty at the usual hour on 
the pony, well wrapped, with an infant a few hours 
old on her bosom. She arrived with her hogs at 
Cincinnati the day before the sale, sold them for 
cash, and the late Gen. Findlay told me that she 
stood by his side on the box and bid off her land, 
with her infant in her arms. Surely, ' truth is 
stranger than fiction.' " 

About the year 1818 on the Larkin's Sims farm 
just below Connersville was erected for that gentle- 
man, it is thought, the first frame house in the town- 
ship (outside of the village of Connersville.) It 
was built by John Perin. 

In 1823 or 1824 the frame portion of the dwelling 
house of Thomas Hinkson was erected and the large 
stone house — the main building, which, by the way, 
is very antique in its style of architecture, was built 
in 1827, as shown by an inscription on a stone form- 
ing a part of the chimney. 

The John Perin brick house on the N. Minor farm 
was built in 1824. 



168 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



EAKLY SCHOOLS. 

The first schoolhouse in the settlement along the 
western side of the river, and about Williams' Creek, 
was built prior to the spring of 1815; for it — the rude 
log-cabin house — was standing there, on the Hinkson 
farm, at that time, and the following winter, 1815- 
16, school was taught in it by Thomas Hinkson, Sr. 
At this time Nathaniel Hamilton attended the school. 
Mr. Hinkson was the teacher in that settlement for 
a number of years. He was a man of liberal educa- 
tion, having been schooled in his native county in a 
Catholic school. Mr. Hamilton is of the opinion 
that school had been previously held in this house 
by the same master. In this same settlement in 
1819, in a log-cabin near where the Lockhart school - 
house now is. Miss lugham is remembered as holding 
school. Later teachers in the same settlement were 
Hannah Hathaway, John Justice and Millie Perin. 
Subsequently the scholars too far to the north attend- 
ed one of the schoolhouses located in Harrison 
Township and described in the sketch of that sub- 
division. 

In the settlement east of the river was what was 
known as "Solomon's school." An account of this 
school was written some years since by "Rambler," 
which is given below: "The house in which it was 
taught stood fifty or sixty rods nearly east of the 
present residence of John Stoops, near the south line 
of the land of Robert Williams, and was with slight 
exceptions such a house as all the girls and boys of 
those days got their education in. And from such 
schoolhouses, scattered over the great West, have 
gone out men of honest hearts, of strong nerves, of 
high and noble resolves, that have made their mark 
in the world. And could we trace through the high- 
ways, the by-ways, and the cross-ways of life all that 
attended that school, no doubt but we could find some 
occupying prominent public positions both in church 
and in state at the present time. We have never 
met any of the scholars of that school but two since 
1822, and both of these were ministers in the Baptist 
Church (Elders George Harlan and William Sparks). 

"The building was about 18x22 feet, of round 
logs, with a fire-place occupying one end of 
it, and a file of six or eight boys were usually 
detailed to carry in the back-logs, while the lesser 
ones carried in the fore, middle and top sticks, and 
occasionally this huge pile of wood and the fire made 
by it would cause the cry of tire to be raised by some 
who were watching other things closer than their 
books. The windows consisted of one log removed 
from each of the three sides of the building, slats 
placed vertically in the space, and newspapers pasted 
on those slats and to the log above, then the paper 
oiled with melted lard applied with a feather to 



admit the light, then a temporary fortification, con- 
sisting of forks and poles was thrown up to prevent 
the stock from eating out the paper, thus saturated 
with the grease. The furniture in the room was as 
simple and primitive as the room itself. The writing- 
tables were one long board under each window and 
the same length of it, attached to the wall, and driv- 
ing pins therein, inclining a little downward at the 
outer end. At these the tables were placed, each writer 
sitting with his face to the window. The seats consisted 
of blue ash saplings, cut the j)roper length, split in two, 
two holes bored at proper angles in each end, and 
one in the middle for legs, then placed with the bark 
side up, the bark being all nicely shaved off. On 
these seats have we sat swinging our feet back and 
forth from early dawn to laterst eve, wishing we were 
anything else but a school-boy; wishing there was no 
such thing as a schoolhouse, school- teachers, school- 
books, pen, ink or paper in the world. Foolish, in- 
considerate, childish thought. But then we thought 
and acted and talked like a boy, but since we have 
viewed things from a different standpoint. 

"Could the schoolboy of the present day com- 
pare the stock of books now in use in the schools 
with that used in those primitive times, he could 
appreciate his advantages over those of the early set- 
tlers of the country. Geography, grammar, globes, 
out-line maps, and other modern facilities for study 
were neither seen nor talked of in the school room 
of those days. 

"There is one tribute of respect we willingly pay 
to the teacher, and that is, considering the time, the 
surroundings and the facilities, he taught a very 
good school. 

"In those days there were certain inalienable rights 
claimed by the school-boys, which had been handed 
down from time immemorial from father to son, and 
that was the right to close the door against school- 
teachers about the holidays; a right, too, to which in 
some localities they still adhere with the same ten- 
acity that a descendant of Abraham adheres to his 
nationality. Now the big boys and the little boys 
were not willing that this time-honored usage should 
pass by unimproved on the present occasion. Accord- 
ingly a council of war was held and the subject dis- 
cussed in the most formal manner, the question being: 
Shall we bar out the teacher and make him treat f 
was put and carried by such a vote that no veto could 
set aside. The nest great question was. How shall 
the castle, windows, door and chimney be so fortified 
that a successful attack cannot be made either from 
the front, fiank or rear. To do this, bolts, bars, 
benches, spikes, with a large lot of other weapons, 
offensive and defensive, were called into requision, 
not forgetting a good supply of fuel and provisions; 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



169 



for the siege might last several days. Morning came 
and with it came hope, fear, doubt, anxiety, solicitude, 
as to the result. Directly the teacher is seen in the 
distance, approaching the scene of contest quietly and 
peacefully ; he comes on unconscious of the spirit of 
mutiny and rebellion within. He comes to the door, 
attempts to open it; all is silence within; he guesses 
the cause, retreats, reconnoiters, examines the vulner- 
able points, gathers a huge rail and in old Roman 
style tries his battering ram on the door once. Crash it 
comes against the door. He retreats to a greater dis- 
tance to give it greater momentum. Crash it comes 
the second time, down comes the door, in comes the 
rail full length into the school-room; all is hurry- 
skurry within, and during the general fright, the 
teacher enters through the breach. ' Seize him and 
tie him,' was the rallying cry. It was like magic; 
soon he was surrounded, borne down by the crowd, 
who had merged all dignity in the right of the 
scholar. The teacher comes to terms, is released, and 
soon a equad of these quandam rebels is sent off to 
bring the treat. Meantime the benches are righted, 
the door is repaired, the good things come, all par- 
take, and care nothing whether they were Presidents 
or plebians. Thus passed the Christmas of 1818 at 
the old log schoolhouse. For the purpose of show- 
ing the changes in a place since that time we give the 
names of some who attended the school. There were 
the Gilkeys, Sparkea, Aldridges, Harlans, Thomases, 
Streets, Whites, Denisons, McCreas, and Williamses. 
In the southeastern part of the township Jonathan 
Shields taught an early school. 

EARLY MILLS, DISTILLERIES, ETC. 

Among the early industries of the township, out- 
side of the village, were, lirst, the John Reed grist- 
mill, which was ia operation in the spring of 1815; 
it was probably built in 1814. The mill was first 
constructed of logs in their natural state, but in the 
course of a year or more a frame mill building was 
constructed. The site of the mill was on Williams 
Creek, some three or four miles below Connersville. 
In 1816 a saw-mill was added. John A. White hewed 
the timber for it and assisted in its construction. 

Prior to 1819 John Vance built a grist-mill on 
Williams Creek. 

John Hughes, as early as 1820, had in operation 
a grist-mill on the same stream, on the J. Mounts 
farm. 

James Brownlee built what subsequently became 
known as the Nathan Buckley carding and fulling 
mill or machine. This was on Williams Creek, and 
was erected as early as 1818, if not earlier. Brownlee 
built in connection with it a saw-mill, and in 1825, 
or thereabouts, built a frame- for a grist-mill, which, 



however, was never used for that purpose. Mr. Buck- 
ley having purchased the property, removed the 
carding -machine into that frame. 

Further up the same stream, Avery Gates subse- 
quently erected a saw- mill. 

On the river, west side, was operated an early 
mill by Miller and Clink; later William Miller 
added to it a still-house and an oil-mill. 

In the northwestern part of the township, on 
Williams' Creek, an early saw-mill was built by 
John Kellum, and below on the same stream, he 
operated a grist-mill. 

Thomas Moflfett, who owned and operated a mill 
in Harrison Township, which had been built by John 
Philpott, subsequently (1847), erected a grist-mill 
further down the stream, in what is now Conners- 
ville Township. 

Stills were then numerous, for 'twas in a day 
when whisky and religion were not divorced, but 
went hand in hand. The smoke from the little cop- 
per still or from the larger distillery could be seen 
curling heavenward from many a pioneer's land. 
Among those then distilling were Thomas Burris and 
Glover Perin, one Calloway, Jphn Perin, John Reed, 
William Miller, Tobias Smith, Larkin Sims, William 
Thompson, James Vance and many others. 

East of the river, on Village Creek, in 1829, 
Christian Furry was operating a grist-mill with one 
run of stones. This mill is thought to have been 
built by Moses Wolverton, who also had in connec- 
tion with it a saw-mill. 

CHURCHES AND GRAVEYARDS. 

At the old burying-ground, in Section 20, on the 
E. Martin land in an early day, was built an Old 
School Baptist Church, which was used by that 
denomination for a number of years. 

The earliest grave marked by a tomb-stone, whose 
inscription is legible, is that of Nesbit Alexander, 
who died May 27, 1825, in the twenty fifth year of 
his age. Among the aged whose remains rest hero 
are Samuel Martin, died in 1851, at the age of 
seventy-two years; Ann Martin, in 1863, seventy- 
nine years; Alexander Saxon, in 1844, seventy seven 
years; Mary Saxon, in 1855, eighty-one years; Philip 
C. Hoyl, in 1841, eighty-eight years; Benjamin 
Booe, in 1839, sixty years. 

At the graveyard on the hill by the creek on the 
James Mount land stood a meeting-house built prob- 
ably forty odd years ago by the Methodists, and by 
them was occupied for many years, and later by other 
denominations, but all traces of it are now lost to the 
passer-by, and the few tomb-stones around the yard 
marking spots sacred to many have been suffered to 
fall down, and are now scattered over the ground, 



170 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



trampeled on and rooted about by cattle and hogs 
which are let at large to roam about the hallowed 
spot. 

The first Methodist preaching place on the Gon- 
nersville Circuit in the township was at the dwelling 
of the grandfather of Thomas Hinkson. In 18'J3 the 
class consisted of the grandfather and wife, son 
Thomas the surveyor and wife, Mrs. Basil Roberts 
and daughters and Merrill Williams. 

There are now but two churches in the township, 
Bunker Hill and Village Creek. The former is a 
Methodist Episcopal Church and the latter an Old 
School Baptist. 

The building, which is of brick, of the former 
denomination is the second house of worship. Both 
it and the original building were erected by general 
subscriptions, and were to be used by all denomina- 
tions as a Union Church. The Methodists have for 
probably fifteen or twenty years held regular services 
at Banker Hill, the appointment being with some of 
the other churches along the western portion of the 
county. 

The Village Creek Church was constituted July 
24, 1824:, Elders and Messengers being present from 
Lick Creek, New Bethel and New Hope Churches. 
The constituent members were Robert Gilky, Thomas 
Wolverton, William Denman, William Sparks, Phin- 
eaa McCray, Stephen Harlan, James Wood, Sarah 
Gilky, Mary Donman, Mary Sparks, Mary Harlan, 
Sarah McCray and Hannah McCray. The constitu- 
tion took place at the residence of Robert Gilky. 
The first house of worship was not built until 1826, 
meetings up to its completion being held at private 
houses. This hewed-log building was the meeting- 
house of the church society until in 1848, when it was 
replaced by the present brick edifice located at the 
burying-ground on the hill, probably one and a half 
miles southeast of the city of Connersville. The reg- 
ular resident pastors of the church have been Elders 
Minor Thomas, George Harlan (ordained in 1830), 
William Sparks (ordained in 1845), Samuel Harlan 
and Walter Benson and Charles M. Reed, the present 
incumbent. The present membership of the church 
is fifty-six. The entire number of members that have 
been identified with the church since its constitution 
has been 271. 

The graveyard of the church, it wovild seem from 
the following epitaph on the tomb-stone of Samuel 
Harlan, Sr., was set apart for such purposes by him: 

"This ground he did donate 
In which to bury dead, 
And when he cheerful met his fate 
He among the rest was laid." 

Mr. Harlan died in 1858, aged eighty-five years. 
This place of burial is about as old as the church 



organization. Among the aged who are here await- 
ing the final resurrection morn, are Sarah McCray, 
died in 1851 in her ninetieth year; Phineaa McCray, 
died in 1838 in his seventy-sixth year; Nancy Harlan, 
died in 1871 in her ninety-third year; Judith Honey- 
well, died in 1860 in her eightieth year; Abner Ball, 
born in 1785, died in 1846; Rhoda P. Ball, born in 
1787, died in 1863; William Sparks, Sr., died in 
1862 in his ninetieth year; John Milliner, born in 
1786, died in 1856; Nancy Milliner, born in 1786, 
died in 1873; James Backhouse, died in 1849 in his 
eighty-seventh year; Charlotte Backhouse, died in 
1864 in her eighty-fifth year; Bennett Langston, died 
in 1860 in his eighty-fourth year. 

EAST CONNEESVILLE. 

Just over the river from the city of Connersville, is 
situated the village of East Connersville, which was 
laid out on the northwest quarter of Section 19, 
Township 14, Range 11, by Basil MeCann, in Octo- 
ber, 1857. The village has since been incorporated 
and is provided with a substantial two-story brick 
sehoolhouse; and in the way of industries has two 
stores, a blacksmith shop, and a large planing-mill 
and wood-working establishment, which had its origin 
some ten years ago, in the Eagle Mills Manufacturing 
Company. 

MAPLEWOOD. 

The little village bearing the above name is sub- 
urban to Connersville, and was laid out on the land 
of Austin B. Claypool, being acknowledged by that 
gentleman March 13, 1877. In 1882 a large and 
substantial two-story brick sehoolhouse, beautiful in 
design, was erected in the place, and at this writing 
there is in process of construction a brick church edi- 
fice, which is on ground donated for the purpose by 
A. B. Claypool, who is one of the trustees and is su- 
perintending its erection. The society was organized 
in the fall of 1883 by Rev. J. S. Tevis, pastor of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of this city. The mem- 
bership consisted of some twelve or fifteen persons who 
held membership in the city church, to which the 
charge is as yet connected, but will soon become an 
independent Methodist Episcopal Church. The vil- 
lage is supplied with one store. 

HALF CENTURY CITIZENS. 

The following list contains the names of such 
citizens of the township as had, in 1879, resided in 
the county fifty years or upward: 

A. B. Conwell, James Mount, G. L. Fearis, Will- 
iam Watson, G. M. Nelson, William H. Beck, David 
Beck, Taylor John, Greenup John, Calvin Burton, 
James Crosson, Thomas Burton, Nathaniel Hamilton, 





^i^^ f)^.^-M(^^^^-cM^2^ 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



173 



Train Caldwell, William Newkirk, D. L. Meeker, Basil 
McCann, John Swift, Levin Mcintosh, W. W. Fry- 
barger, Gale Ford, Andrew Applegate, Alex Minor, 
Joseph Minor, W. A. H. Tate, James Clawson, Wash 
Michnor, Clark Porter, Lewis Porter, A. J. Porter, 
Henry Wright, Elmore Edwards, John Kerr, Robert 
Marshall, Samuel Scott, Samuel Backhouse, Louisa 
Nelson, Helen Campbell, Sarah Morrison, Mrs. John 
Casady, Mary Mount, Margaret Edwards, Miss 
Hinkson, Miss Hinkson, Miss Lockhart, Eliza- 
beth White, Mrs. Dan Morrison, Martha Harlan, 
Mrs. William Spark, Mrs. Jasper Davis, Mrs. Edith 
Rees, Mrs. Tate, Mrs. William Brown, Mrs. Vance, 



Jane Lister, Mrs. Marshall, Miss Buckley, Mrs. 
Wanee, Mrs. S. B. Parker, Mary Justice, Mrs. N. H. 
Bark, Mrs. Samuel Backhouse, Helen Barnard, Ma- 
hala Montgomery, Mrs. Taylor John, Ann Shields, 
Mrs. Levi Hartman, Hester Roots, Olive Tate, Mrs. 
Clark Porter, Mary Acker, Mrs. Alexander, Samuel 
Minor, Dr. S. W. Vance, W. T. Dale, William M. 
Smith, Eleazer Smith, Jasper N. Davis, William 
Johnson, George Boee, James Lister, Isaac Dehaven, 
Jacob Dehaven, Levi Hartman, B. F. Claypool, A. B. 
Claypool, Jeptha Steele, Leonard W. Petro, Absalom 
Petro, Mathew Harlan, William Sparks, Thomas 
Hinkson, John Lockhart, James Vanhorn. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



HARRISON TOWNSHIP. 

BOUNDARIES, ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION— LAND ENTRIES— PIONEERS AND PIONEER SETTLEMENT— INDE- 
PENDENCE DAY, ly29—INDUSTRIES— SCHOOLS— CHURCHES— HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 



THE subdivision bearing the above name is bounded 
on the north by Wayne County and Posey Town- 
ship, on the west by Fairview Township, on the south 
by Connersville Township, and on the east by the 
West Fork of Whitewater River. It is one of the 
original townships into which the county was divided 
on its organization in 1819, and was then described 
as follows: "Beginning at the southeast corner of 
Section 17 in Township 14, Range 13; thence west to 
the western extremity of the county, thence north 
along the west line of said county to the line dividing 
the counties of Wayne and Fayette; thence east to 
the boundary; thence south to the northeast corner of 
Section 33, Township 15, Range 12; thence east to 
the northeast corner of Section 32, Township 15, 
Range 13; thence south to the place of beginning." 

Harrison as then described, in addition to its pres- 
ent territory, included the entire township of Posey, 
the northern two-thirds of Fairview, and so much of 
Waterloo as lies west of a line parallel with the east- 
ern boundary of Connersville Township. It lost its 
territory lying east of the river on the formation of 
Waterloo Township in 1821; it was lessened to the 
extent of Posey Township on the formation of the 
latter in 1823, and was still further lessened twelve 
sections on the formation of the township of Fair- 
view in 1851. 

Its surface is undulating and well adapted for 
agricultural purposes, having good natural drainage, 
and the greater portion being well watered by springs 
and streams, the larger of which are West Fork, Big 



and Little Williams Creeks, and Lick Creek. At the 
last appraisement the lands were rated for taxation at 
$38 per acre without and 141 with improvements. 
The people are industrious and given almost entirely 
to agricultural pursuits, there being one notable indus- 
try, a tile factory, in the township. For several years 
past some special attention has been given to the 
manufacture of butter and cheese, there having been 
established two dairies of probably less than 100 
cows each, the proprietors of which are Enoch Cald- 
well and Warner Broaddus. The eastern part of the 
township is crossed north and south by the White, 
water Valley, and Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville 
Railroads, and the citizens of that locality have, too, 
the advantage of the Hydraulic, which runs parallel 
with the railroads. 



LAND ENTRIES. 



With the exception of about five sections of land 
on its western border, the township lies within the 
"Twelve Mile Purchase," and was sold as set forth 
below: 

Township 15 north. Range 12 east. 

Southeast quarter of Section 83, October 22, 
1811, to John Tyner. 

Southwest quarter of Section 33, October 22, 
1811, to Joseph Caldwell. 

Northwest quarter of Section 33, October 28, 
1811, to Richard Tyner. 

Northeast quarter of Section 33, October 28, 
1811, to John Tyner. 



174 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Northwest quarter of Section 34, October 22, 
1811, to John Phillips. 

Southwest quarter of Section 34, October 22, 
1811, to Train Caldwell. 

Northeast quarter of Section 36, October 22, 
1811, to Larkin Sims. 

Northwest quarter of Section 36, October 28, 

1811, to Thomas Carter. 

South half of Section 36, October 23, 1811, to 
Isaac Willson. 

Southwest quarter of Section 35, January 16, 

1812, to Reason and Charles Davis. 

Southeast quarter of Section 34, July 16, 1812, 
to Solomon Hornly. 

Northeast quarter of Section 34, September 31, 

1813, to Isaac Willson. 

Northwest quarter of Section 35, December 7, 
1813, to William^Willson. 

Northeast quarter of Section 35, March 3, 1814, 
to John Ward. 

Southeast quarter of Section 35, August 10, 1814, 
to William Willson. 

Section 32, with the exception of a small fraction 
which was sold in 1814 to William Baker, was not 
sold until 1821-22, Minor Thomas and Thomas Ship- 
ley purchasing in 1821, and Ira Starn in 1822. 

Section 31 was disposed of in 1821-22, William 
and Hugh Dickey, Minor Meeker, John Dailey and 
Ebenezer W. Finey purchasing in 1821, and Collen 
Smith in 1822. 

Township 15 north, Range 13 east. 

John Beard purchased the northwest quarter Sec- 
tion 31, October 24, 1811; John Hardin a portion of 
the southeast quarter of the same Section, October 24, 
1811; E. Harding the southwest quarter of that Sec- 
tion March 12, 1812. 

Township 14 north, Range 13 east. 

Archibald Reed purchased the southwest quarter 
of Section 18, October 23, 1811; Ebenezer Heaton 
the northwest quarter of Section 18, October 30, 
1811; John Grewell, the northeast quarter of Section 
6, October 23, 1811; Silas Gregg, the northeast quar- 
ter of Section 7, October 23, 1811; Edward Webb, 
the northwest quarter of Section 7, October 23, 1811; 
Zadock Smith, the southwest quarter of Section 7, 
March 14, 1812; John Grewell, the northwest quar- 
ter of Section 6, March 19, 1812; Andrew Thorp, the 
southeast quarter of Section 6, December 2, 1816; 
Edward Webb, the southwest quarter of Section 6, 
April 18, 1817. 

Township 14 north, Range 12 east. 

George Geage purchased the north half of Section 
1, October 22, 1811; Jacob Shreller, the southeast 
quarter of Section 1, October 22, 1811 ; James Daugh- 
erty, the southeast quarter of Section 2, October 22, 
1811. 



John White, the south half of Section 2, October 
22, 1811. 

James Caldwell, the northwest quarter of Section 

3, October 22, 1811. 

William Webb, the northwest quarter of Section 
12, October 28, 1811. 

Alexander Dale, the northeast quarter of Section 

4, October 28, 1811. 

William and John McCarty, a fraction of Section 

5, December 9, 1811. 

John Perkins, the southwest quarter of Section 13, 
October 22, 1811. 

Joel Dickens, the northeast quarter of Section 14, 
October 28, 1811. 

Lewis Johnson, the southwest quarter of Section 

14, October 22, 1811. 

Forest Webb, the northeast quarter of Section 15, 
October 28, 1811. 

Lewis Johnson, the southeast quarter of Section 

15, October 22, 1811. 

Robert McCormick, the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 13, August 22, 1812. 

Asa Stone, the southeast quarter of Section 14, 
August 29, 1812. 

James Job, the northeast quarter of Section 9, 
February 22, 1812. 

Samuel Dehaven, the northwest quarter of Section 
11, October 7, 1812. 

John Bradburn, the southwest quarter of Section 

11, October 8, 1812. 

James Nichols, the southwest quarter of Section 

12, July 11, 1812. 

Archibald Johnson, the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 12, August 30, 1813. 

George Hollingsworth, the northeast quarter of 
Section 12, July 29, 1813. 

William Henderson, the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 11, October 17, 1813. 

Benjamin Sailor, the northeast quarter of Section 
11, August 30, 1813. 

Jesse Webb, the northwest quarter of Section 3, 
August 21, 1813. 

Charles Roysdon, southwest quarter of Section 1, 
April 5, 1813. 

William Dickey, fractional Section 8, October, 
1813 and 1820. 

William Henderson, the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 4, September 17, 1813. 

Joseph Caldwell, the northwest quarter of Section 
4, December 11, 1813. 

John Orr, fractional Section 17, September 6,1813. 

John McCormick, the northeast quarter of Section 

13, October 22, 1813. 

Forest Webb, the northwest quarter of Section 14, 
August 9, 1814. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



175 



Joseph Dale, the southwest quarter of Section 4, 
March 9, 1814. 

Alexander Dale, the northwest quarter of Section 
9, September 9, 1814. 

John Murphy, the southeast quarter of Section 9, 
October 22, 1814. 

John Linder, the southwest quarter of Section 9, 
April 23, 1814. 

Isaac Seward, a portion of the northeast quarter 
of Section 10, October 13, 1814. 

John Peawell, a portion of the same quarter-sec- 
tion, June 10, 1824. 

Eli Scotten, the northwest quarter of Section 10, 
March 26, 1814. 

William Bell, the southeast quarter of Section 10, 
December 14, 1814. 

Richard Tyner, the southwest quarter of Section 
10, November 19, 1814. 

James Caldwell, the northeast quarter of Section 
3, August 18, 1814. 

Isaac Hackleman, the southeast quarter of Section 
3, June 30, 1814. 

James Smith, the west half of Section 15, Sep- 
tember 2, 1815. 

Samuel McCormick, the northwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 13, December 1, 1816. 

Weir Cassady, the northeast quarter of Section 2, 
December 2, 1816. 

William Jeffrey and John I. Johnson, fractional 
Section 5, in 1820. 

William M. Birch, the northeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 6, and John I. Johnson, the southeast quarter, 
October 21, 1820. 

Hugh Dickey, the northwest quarter of Section 6, 
October 21, 1820. 

David Anderson, the west half of the southwest 
quarter of Section 6, October 21, 1820. 

Ira Starr and M. Meeker, the other half of that 
quarter, March 20, 1821. 

John and Matthew Hawkins, William Dickey and 
John I. Johnson, all of Section 7 excepting the north- 
west quarter, October, 1820. 

Francis Ellisgwood (most likely EUinwood), the 
northwest quarter of that section, January 10, 1822. 
Matthew Hawkins, a portion of fractional Section 
17, October 21, 1820. 

Section 18 was entered in small tracts — John 
Darter, eighty acres in 1820; John Hawkins, William 
Saxon and William Philpott, the former two eighty- 
acre tracts, and the others eighty acres each, in 1821; 
Stephen Bilby and John Philpott, eighty acres each, 
in 1829. 

PIONEERS AND PIONKER SETTLEMENT. 

Many of the original purchasers of the lands of 
Harrison became actual settlers, improved the lands, 



played their part in transforming the wilderness in- 
to beautiful and fertile fields amid the privations and 
hardships of pioneer life, replaced the cabin with a 
substantial brick, the cumbersome log-stable with the 
commodious baru, gave up the sickle, the scythe and 
the cradle for the reaper and the mower, the "flail" 
for the steam-thresher, saw the wigwam of the sav- 
age give way to the church, witnessed generations 
born to know only by tradition the block-house, the 
trail of the Indian, and the wild animals, gave shape 
to the civil, political and religioushistory of the coun- 
ty, and at last, their bodies to the churchyard. 
Peace to their ashes. 

A number of the Caldwells emigrated from North 
Carolina in the early history of the West and settled 
in Preble County, Ohio, near the little village of 
Fairhaven, and in 1811, removed to what is now this 
township. Among the brothers were Joseph, James, 
Train, and perhaps, John. All settled on land above 
designated and Joseph built a cabin on Christmas 
Day. Their families were subsequently removed to 
their posse.ssions, but the alarming state of affairs 
on the approach of the war of 1812 induced them to 
return to Ohio, and in 1814 they again came to their 
possessions. For protection a block-house was built 
which was picketed in by an outer fence after the 
usual style to which they all resorted for fear of an 
attack. It stood on what is now the W. H. Florea 
farm, in Section 34. Joseph was a native of North 
Carolina and died in the year 1850. John died in 
1872— was born in Guilford County, N. C, in 1798. 
Train was one of the first Associate Judges of the 
county on its organization. A number of their de- 
scendants are still residents of the county. 

William Webb, Sr., died in the county in 1863, 
in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He was born in 
Virginia and in his infancy with parents removed to 
Kentucky, and in 1806 to Indiana Territory. He was 
a soldier in the war of 1812, removed to what subse- 
quently became the county of Fayette in 1813, and 
was one of the members in the constitution of the 
First Regular Baptist Church of the county. 

Alexander Kerr, from Ohio, settled in the town- 
ship early. 

About the year 1812 Patrick McCarty and John 
C. Smith, a son-in-law, settled in the township. They 
had previously emigrated from one of the Carolinas 
and settled in Franklin County. Mr. Smith was a 
soldier of the war of 1812. His son William M., 
long identified with the history of the county, having 
served the people in various official positions, was born 
in a block-house some miles west of Brookville in the 
fall of 1812. His grandfather was a Revolutionary 
soldier, and the grandson, though in advanced life, 
served in the late war of the Rebellion. 



176 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



John Tyner and wife Fannie, from North Car- 
olina, immigrated to Fraaklin County, and in 1813 
to what became Fayette. Mr. Tyner became one of 
the first of the Board of County Commissioners, and 
died while so serving in 1822. 

The Kolbs were from Georgia; Tihlman settled in 
the township in 1811, and died in 1845. Francis 
Grofif, from Warren County, N. J., came to the White- 
water country about the year 1813, and became a res- 
ident of the township. 

William McCarty settled early. He was one of the 
chain-carriers of the surveying party which in 1817 
were engaged in surveying the lands of the " New 
Purchase." 

Joseph and Alexander Dale, emigrating from 
Woodford County, Ky., settled in the township in 
1815. Mrs. Eliza Florea, daughter of Joseph Dale, 
widow of Lewis C. and mother of the Florea Bros., 
attorneys at law in Connersville, was born in the 
township in 1815. She remembers that in 1822 
some 300 Indians came to the forest surrounding her 
father's home. Her father traded a great deal with 
the Indians. These Indians in question came or 
stopped to trade. They had different kinds of wild 
game, deer and bear meat, turkeys, etc. They rode 
ponies with husk saddles. The eldest brother of 
Mrs. Florea was when a babe stolen by the Indians, 
but rescued by the father before a mile from the 
cabin. 

In 1815 a little colony left the vicinity of Bangor, 
Me., and settled temporarily at Columbia, near Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. Daniel Campbell, John Savage and 
Jacob Nelson, all related, and Henry Welch com- 
posed the colony. Mr. Savage, in the fall of 1815, 
died at Columbia, and his wife and family, with the 
others mentioned, in the February following settled 
in what afterward became this township. Mrs. Sav- 
age was the mother of the venerable John Savage, of 
Connersville. 

The Widow Savage subsequently married John 
Adams, and in 1822 removed to what is now the Ben- 
jamin Thomas farm, situated in the southeastern 
part of the township. The brick house on that farm 
was erected for Mr. Adams in 1822, and is thought 
by Mr. Savage to have been the first brick house built 
in the township. The brick work was done by 
Nathaniel Leonard, and the carpenter work by Zach- 
ariah Parish. 

The Dickeys, James, Robert and William, settled 
here as early as 1815. 

Samuel and Isaac Dehaven, natives of Kentucky, 
immigrated to this county and settled in Harrison 
Township in about 1816. Isaac was in the war of 
1812. Samuel Dehaven, Sr., who entered the land, 
was a native of Pennsylvania. 



The widow of Joseph B. Shipley and mother of 
Samuel J. of this township settled in the county in 
1819, bringing with her several children from the 
State of Delaware. 

Samuel B. Ludlow, of New York State, in 1819 
walked to the county of Fayette; subsequently 
entered land at the land office at Brookville, and in 
1821 settled upon it. 

William Monteith, a native of Pennsylvania, 
located in the township about the year 1818. 

John Murphy, a native of Ireland, settled here in 
1819. He came from the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Jame.4 C. Rea, a native of Rockbridge County, 
Va., located in the township in 1818, and played a 
conspicuous part in the affairs of the county, having 
been Justice of the Peace for nearly a quarter of a 
century, besides tilling other official positions. He 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, and subsequently 
Ensign and Lieutenant in 1816 and 1818 in the State 
Militia of Virginia, and later Colonel in the Indiana 
State Militia. 

John Groendyke, a native of New Jersey, when 
young went to Long Island, N. Y., and in 1812 to 
Butler County, Ohio, and in 1814 to Dearborn County 
this State, thence into the subdivision under consid- 
eration about 1819. 

From about 1819 to 1822 a number of families 
coming from the New England States settled mostly 
in the "New Purchase" in the western part of the 
township, and founded what was called Yankeetown, 
which name it has since retained. Among these 
were Elder Minor Thomas, Joshua Wightsman, 
Elder Minor Meeker, Eleazer Carver, Francis Ellin- 
wood, Collen Smith, Stephen Ellis, and perhaps 
others. 

Elders Minor Thomas and Minor Meeker were 
ministers in the Regular Baptist Church, and with 
their families emigrated from New York to the lands 
elsewhere designated, in 1819. William W. Thomas, 
a son, was long and favorably known to the citizens of 
the county. His earlier years were passed in school- 
teaching, but after the close of that avocation he was 
through a long life closely and prominently connected 
with the farming interests of his township. 

Minor Meeker, Jr., a son of the Elder and father of 
C. C. Meeker, of Harrison Township, served his coun- 
try in the war of 1812, and represented this county 
several times in both branches of the Legislature. 
His death occurred in 1865. 

Moses Ellis, of the above-mentioned family from 
New York, emigrated to North Bend, Ohio, in 1818 
and eight years later settled in this township. He 
was made the tirst Postmaster of that settlement, com- 
missioned November 28, 1827. The name of the 
Yankeetown office was Plumb Orchard. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



177 



One of the Wightsmans — Elias R. — subsequently 
removed to Texas, and there surveyed and laid out the 
city of Galveston. 

John Thomas, the father of Benjamin Thomas, 
coming from New York settled here in 1822, having 
stopped several years in Ohio. 

The Trowbridges, from New York, settled here in 
1822. Levi was a Major in the war of 1812. 

Thomas Shipley, a native of Maryland and soldier 
of the war of 1812, settled here in 1821. 

In 1820 David Gordon, a North Carolinian, and 
Jesse Ferguson, of Kentucky, effected a settlement in 
the township. 

Among those arriving in Harrison in 1822 and 
1823 were Capt. Robert Broaddus, a Virginian, and 
Lewis Robinson, from New York, respectively. 

Not far from this time came Zenas Powell from 
Kentucky, and David Wolf from the same State, the 
latter being a native of Maryland, but removed to 
Kentucky in the beginning of this century. 

In 1825 settled Jonathan Clifford from Vermont, 
Joseph Taylor from the State of New York, though a 
native of Massachusetts, and Jesse Shaw from Guil- 
ford County, N. C. Mr. Shaw served in the war of 
181 2, was for a period the miller at the old Goodlander 
mill and in 1853 removed to Wabash County, this 
State, where he died in 1884, aged eighty-seven years. 

INDEPENDENCE DAY, 1829. 

Independence Day, 1829, was observed by the cit- 
izens of the county by a celebration held on the farm 
of Col. J. C. Rea, near the "cross-roads." The orator 
of the day was Samuel W. Parker; reader of the 
Declaration of Independence, Caleb B. Smith; Col. 
William Caldwell, Marshall, and Thomas J. Sample, 
Assistant; Adam Banks, Chaplain. The music was 
under the direction of Ephraim Clifford and John 
Sample, Jr. There was a large assembly present and 
after the formal exercises of the day were over some 
400 ladies and 600 gentlemen were dined, and at the 
tables a number of toasts were drank. Good music 
was furnished and the occasion was livened with the 
discharge of artillery. 

INDUSTEIES. 

The first grist-mill in the township was the Jacob 
Goodlander mill, located in Section 7, Township 14 
north. Range 13 east, on the west fork of Whitewater 
River. It was built prior to 1823. For a number of 
years Thomas Campbell was the miller. This mill 
was patronized extensively, persons coming to it from 
miles distant. There has been no grinding here for 
upward of thirty years. 

A little more than two miles above this mill, on 
the river, opposite Waterloo, was the Troxell saw and 



grist-mill, which was built probably forty-five years 
ago by Jacob Troxell. This mill also ceased opera- 
tions a number of years ago. 

In 1819, on Lick Creek, there stood a saw-mill in 
Section 34, which was probably the first built in the 
township. Several years later it became the property 
of Minor Meeker, Sr., and later passed into the hands 
of Lewis Florea and continued in the Florea name 
until operations ceased. The frame is yet standing. 

On the same stream, probably a mile below, was 
the Capt. Broaddus saw-mill, built about 1839. 

In an early day the eastern part of the township 
was well supplied with mills, there being six on 
Williams Creek and all within an area of four miles. 
The first of these was built by one of the Kings in 
Section 6. It was a grist-mill and ground corn only. 
Some years subsequent to the erection of this mill, 
which was not far from 1825, a factory for the man- 
ufacture of wooden bowls was attached and run by 
Anson King and Joshua Wightsman. 

Another of these mills was for grinding both 
wheat and corn. It stood in the extreme southwest- 
ern part of the township and was built by Thomas 
Moffett probably fifty years ago. The other four were 
saw-mills, the oldest of which was located in Section 
6, built by Levi Trowbridge not far from 1830. A 
little later was built another by Moses Ellis. It was 
located in Section 31, and passed into the hands of a 
son Lewis, who replaced the old mill by a large and 
commodious one, in which was a turning-lathe and 
machinery for the manufacture of shingles and lath. 
The mill was finally removed by Mr. Ellis to Benton- 
ville, where steam became the motive power. It is 
now in operation at that point. Some few years sub- 
sequent to the building of the Ellis mill, the third of 
the four saw-mills was built in the northern part of 
Section 31, by John Finney. The fourth stood in 
Section 7 and was built by John Campbell not far 
from 1842. This mill is still in existence, but has 
not been in operation for several years. There are at 
this writing no grist or permanent saw- mills in the 
township. 

Minor Meeker, Jr., carried on a tan-yard on his 
farm probably a half century ago, and a decade earlier 
Joseph Dale was operating a copper still on his land. 
Just north of what is known as the B. Thomas farm, 
a copper still was operated by Tharpe & Gordon, 
prior to 1839. A carding-machine was built on the 
branch on the D. Bale farm, by one Stockdale, about 
the year 1837. 

Located in the northwestern part of the township 
are extensive tile works, which have been in opera- 
tion for quite a period of years, carried on for some 
time by Ellis & Williams, and subsequently by John 
Payne, the present Auditor of the county. 



178 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Among the early merchants at Harrisburg were 
Nathaniel McGlure and Lyman Thomas. The firm 
of Lackey & McCliire were granted license by the 
County Commissioners as merchants in the county, in 
July, 1827, for the period of one year, for which they 
paid 112. 50. In August, 1828, the firm was McClure 
& Dickson, and in 1829 Nathaniel McCluro & John 
Murphy. Lyman Thomas was licensed to keep a 
grocery and spirituous liquors at the " Cross-roads in 
Harrison Township" in 1828, which was renewed the 
following year. 

SCHOOLS. 

Probably as early as 1818, or thereabouts, there 
stood a log schoolhouse on the possessions of John 
Tyner, near where the lands of Mr. Tyner and those 
of some of the Caldwells cornered, in which school 
was held by William McKemmy, who is believed to 
have taught several consecutive terms in this building. 
It is thought that Manlove Caldwell and a man by 
the name of Banks taught later in this building or 
neighborhood. Mr. Train Caldwell, born in 1810, 
went to the Tyner schoolhouse to his first school. 

On the old Williams farm in the northeast quarter 
of Section 6 was built one of the early log school- 
houses. It is remembered to have been standing 
there in 1822. The following year a summer school 
was taught by Myriam Swisher. William W. Thomas 
taught here early and possibly was the first teacher in 
the building. 

About the year 1823, or perhaps a little later, a 
log schoolhouse was built in the southern part of 
Section 12, or the northern part of Section 13. Early 
teachers in this house were William Nelson, a Mr. 
Clark and Lunsford Broaddus. The nest house for 
this neighborhood was built one mile north. 

Some years subsequent to the Tyner house, a 
schoolhouse was erected at Harrisburg, in which 
Nelson Penwell and William Thomas are remembered 
as having kept school. 

Another of the early built schoolhouses in the 
northwestern part of the township stood on the pres- 
ent site of the Second Williams Creek Baptist 
Church, just across the road from the house hereto- 
fore mentioned on the Williams land. In about 1837 
Isaac Scarce was teaching here. Other teachers in this 
building were Jasper Davis and Harriet Thomas. 
The following is a sample of a " reward of merit " of 
nearly sixty years ago, and was given in one or the 
other of these houses at this point: 

"This may certify that R. Shipley is a good boy and 
merits the praise of his teacher. 
April 18, 1828, Sally Trowbridge. 

Soon after 1838 a schoolhouse was built about 
one and a half miles north of the one at Second 
Williams Greek Church, and another about half a 



mile south of the church. Among those teaching in 
the north house were Harriet Thomas, Ann Ellis, 
Hiram Dale, C. M. Stone and Edwin Trowbridge. 

There are now in the township six schoolhouses, as 
follows: one at Yankeetown; one at Harrisburg; one 
two miles east of Harrisburg; the Hankins school- 
house; the Gossipville schoolhouse, in the eastern 
part of the township; Elephant College, on the 
Henry Mygat farm; the Wilderness, about one mile 
south of Harrisburg, and the Schrador, about two 
miles south of Yankeetown. 

CHURCHES. 

Regular Baptist Church at Lick Creek. (1814-46.) — 
In the years 1813 and 1814 a number of members of the 
Baptist Church removed from the lower part of the 
Whitewater Valley, chiefly from the bounds of Little 
Cedar Grove Church in Franklin County, and situ- 
ated on the West Fork of the Whitewater River. 
They had letters of dismissal, and on the 14th of 
May, 1814, there met at the house of James Tyner 
the following-named nineteen persons, and were there 
constituted .into a church by the name of Baptist 
Church of Jesus Christ, on Lick Creek: John Tyner, 
Forest Webb, James Tyner, Thomas Carter, Richard 
Kolb, William Webb, John Gilliam, Jehu Perkins, 
William Henderson, Jesse Webb, Robert Atkinson, 
Fannie Tyner, Katie Webb, Nancy Carter, Nancy 
Webb, Elizabeth Perkins, Lear Webb, Martha Hen- 
derson and Rebecca Anderson. 

In the following June a committee was appointed 
to look out for a site for a church building; and sub- 
sequently the land of Forest Webb, Jr., was chosen. 
That spring one pole and forty perches of land were 
purchased of that gentleman at a cost of $6, and in 
the following December there were added to it three 
poles and fifty-two perches which were purchased of 
the same man, and for which $20 was paid. On this 
latter land it was agreed in the spring of 1816 to 
build a meeting-house to bo thirty feet square and 
have a gallery. Lewis Johnson and James and Rich- 
ard Tyner were appointed to superintend the building 
of it. This church we learn was constructed of logs 
and stood near where the present one at the graveyard 
now stands, and was occupied as a house of worship 
until the year 1833, when a brick meeting-house 
35x55 feet was erected. Enoch Applegate, John Mil- 
ieu, William W. Thomas, Alexander Dale and Will- 
iam Helm were appointed to superintend its erection. 
This building stood until 1882, when it was replaced 
by the present neat and commodious frame. 

Forest Webb and John Tyner were chosen 
Deacons of the church early in 1814. For a time in 
the beginning, the church, we judge from the rec- 
ords, was served by visiting Elders, as appear in the 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



179 



minutes the names of Elders James Smith and 
Stephen Oldham as Moderators (both then of other 
churches). Later Moderators of that early period 
were Forest Webb, John Caldwell, John Tyner, 
Isaac Martin, Lewis Johnson, Elder William Miller 
and Elder Thomas. 

Elder William Miller it seems was ordained aa 
their minister June 3, 1820, and at this time appears 
the name of Elder William Thomas. These men were 
both early pastors of the church. Later, along in 
1830-31-32, appear the names of Elder John Sparks, 
Elders Stephen Oldham, Joseph Martin and Wilson 
Thompson, the latter serving the church for a number 
of years beginning early in 1835. 

The church on Lick Creek flourished and became 
one of the strong churches of the Whitewater Asso- 
ciation, but dissensions and controversies on points of 
doctrine and discipline finally arose, which terminat- 
ed in a division of the church, occurring in 1846, at 
which time the church numbered 120 members. 

Out of this division grew two churches, which to- 
day are numbered among the living religious socie- 
ties of the county. The division was not simply local, 
but extended beyond county and even Association 
limits, and affected many of the Old School Baptist 
Churches of this entire region of the country. Both 
divisions or branches of the Lick Creek Church re- 
tained the name of the original church and each 
claims, we believe, to be the old organization. The 
same can be said of the Associations to which each 
belongs. It is not our purpose to set forth the claims 
of either, but to simply give an outline sketch of each. 
The two churches bearing the same name have been 
generally styled in order to designate one from the 
other, Means and Anti-means, although, we believe, 
the church to which has been given the name of 
Means does not countenance the appellation, hence as 
a matter of distinction we will style them North and 
South, in accordance with the relative positions they 
occupy to those cardinal points (South Church, Anti- 
means). 

In February, 1816, Forest Webb, Jacob Young- 
blood and James Tyner, of the Lick Creek member- 
ship, were chosen to select a place for a burying- 
ground and the result was the origin of the old grave- 
yard at the Lick Creek Church. Among the aged 
people whose remains rest by the old church and 
whose graves are marked by legible tombstones are 
the following-named: John Tyner, died in 1822, aged 
forty-five years; James Tyner, died in 1823, aged 
forty-seven years; Margaret Tyner, his wife, died in 
1838, aged sixty-two years; Nancy Stephens, died in 
1835, aged eighty-one years; Elizabeth Denman, died 
in 1842, aged eighty-four years; Mehitablo Kolb, died 
1848, aged seventy-three years; Abigail Trowbridge, 



born in 1783, died in 1839; John Murphy, born in 
1784, died in 1835; Doctor Ball, died in 1856, aged 
sixty seven years; Rachel Ball, died in 1870, aged 
seventy-nine years; Zenas Powell, died in 1863, aged 
eighty-seven years; Charity Powell, died in 1857, aged 
eighty-seven years; Mary Caldwell, died in 1873, aged 
eighty-two years: James C. Rea, died in 1876, aged 
eighty-seven years; John Steven, died in 1845, aged 
seventy-eight years; Mary Frazier, died in 1860, aged 
seventy- nine years; Mary Louderback, died in 1867, 
aged eighty years. 

Regular Baptist Church of Lick Creek (South 1846 
-84.) — This branch after the division retained the 
church property and have since worshiped at the old 
site, until 1882 in the old brick meeting-house at the 
graveyard, and since in the neat frame edifice con- 
structed at that time. The regular minister of the 
old church at the time of the division was Elder Wil- 
son Thompson, who remained with those continuing 
worship at the same church. The membership of the 
Church South, or the number remaining at the old 
church in 1846, was about eighty-seven. Elder 
Thompson's successor was Elder Harvey Wright, who 
has served the church as regular minister the greater 
portion of the time ever since. During his absence 
for about one year his position was filled by Elder 
Jesse Jackson. 

Elder Thmpson was a strong man both in the 
affairs of church and state. He was a native of 
Kentucky, born in Woodford County, August 17, 
1788. His father was a pioneer of that State 
when the forests were dense and inhabited almost en- 
tirely by wild beasts and savage Indians. Says 
Thompson: "I have often sat spell-bound while hear- 
ing my father relate the many dangers and hair- 
breadth escapes of his border life, and those of the 
Revolution." Our subject's boyhood was consequent- 
ly passed amid the thrilling alarms and trying priva- 
tions incident to border warfare and pioneer life. He 
received little schooling and that in a scattering way, 
attending the cabin schools for a few days at a time 
only, during which time he acquired only a smatter- 
in? of the common branches. When he commenced 
preaching he could not read a chapter or hymn intel- 
ligently. He early manifested great interest in relig- 
ious matters and at the age of thirteen years was con- 
verted. In 1810 he was licensed to preach within the 
bounds of the 'North Bend Association. His first 
sermon was preached at the house of a Mr. Cowgill, 
who lived near the line then dividing the counties of 
Boone and Campbell, Ky., he being then in his twen- 
ty second year. In the latter part of the year 1810 
he settled in the State of Missouri and was there en- 
gaged in preaching for several years. In the spring 
of 1814 he removed to Ohio and resided near Spring- 



180 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



field, now Springdale, Hamilton County. He had 
during the winter preached for the Baptist Churches 
at Mill Creek and Pleasant Run in that vicinity in 
connection with Springfield, which churches he con- 
tinued to attend until 1819, though in the mean- 
time he had made several journeys, preaching through 
Ohio, eastern Indiana and Kentucky; and through 
Kentucky, Tennessee and the Mississippi Territory. 
His father entered a quarter-section of land on In- 
dian Creek in the Whitewater country in 1814, and 
while prospecting in that region was accompanied by 
the son, who then preached his first sermon in Indi- 
ana. 

From 1819 to 1824 he was the assistant co-laborer 
with Elder Clark at the Baptist Church in Lebanon, 
Ohio. In 1834 he removed to Fayette County, Ind., 
and early in 1835 he took pastoral care of the Lick 
Creek Church, and the superintendence of the Second 
Williams Creek Church. He served the former 
church regularly for many years as pastor, and when 
old and feeble occasionally preached for that people 
until his death. May 1, 1866. 

' ' Elder Thompson for many years was considered 
one among the most able investigators of Scripture 
in the Regular Baptist Church. He engaged in pub- 
lic discussion with the most talented mind, the most 
popular denominations; and in all his discussions^the 
public judgment accorded to him great success. In 
public debates he had, connected with his strong rea- 
soning powers, the faculty of selecting his proof-texts 
directly to the point, depending more upon the mean- 
ing and purport of the texts used than on the num- 
ber employed. When he took a position he was care- 
ful that it should be a tenable one; and after taking 
a position, he would not suffer himself to be driven 
or enticed away from it." 

After removing to Indiana, he made three exten- 
sive tours of preaching, one in which he traveled 
through Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, 
New York, Delaware and New Jersey; another, 
through Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. The 
other tour was through the State of Georgia. 

He served several years in the State Legislature 
from the county of Fayette. His wife was Mary 
Gregg, whom he married in Kentucky, May 24, 1810. 

Regular Baptist Church of Lick Creek {North, 
1846-84). — Some forty of the old Lick Creek Church 
membership, prominent among whom were James 
Tyner, William W^ebb, Alexander Dale, William W. 
Thomas and Enoch Applegate, withdrew therefrom 
in the spring of 1846, and in June declared them- 
selves the Regular Baptist Church of Lick Creek. 
Elder John Sparks was chosen their pastor. In 1847, 
an acre and a half of land lying one-half mile north 
of Harrisburg, was secured of John Caldwell and B. 



S. Trowbridge, upon which was erected the present 
frame church edifice now standing on that site. Alex- 
ander Dale, William W.Thomas, and James Tyner were 
the first Trustees chosen. In March, 1848, Elder D. H. 
Drummond began giving the church a portion of his 
time, and in 1854 Elder George Harlan was employed, 
and in 1863 Elder Erasmus D. Thomas' name appears 
as one of the Elders of this church. The member- 
ship of this church is the larger of the Lick Creek 
churches. 

Second Regular Baptist Church on Williams 
Creek. — This church was made up mainly by members 
formerly belonging to the Lick Creek Church, and was 
constituted July 21, 1832, representatives being pres- 
ent from the churches of Lick Creek, Franklin and 
East Fork of Flat Rock. The original membership 
was as follows: Eleazer Carver, Grigg M. Thomp- 
son, Abigail Trowbridge, Mary Johnston, Anna Draper, 
Harriet Thomas, Phcsbe Thomas, Schuyler Jagger, 
D. F. Thomas, Elizabeth Stephens, Benjamin Ste- 
phens, Martha Morphew, W. M. Buck, Ellen F. Buck, 
Elizabeth Carver, Phcebe Jagger and Elizabeth Rich 
(of which number Grigg M. Thompson is the only 
one now living). 

The first letter of the church and messengers were 
sent to the W^hitewater Association July 21, 1833, the 
letter being prepared by Grigg M. Thompson and 
Nathan Morphew. The following August the church 
was received into the Assooiation'as one of its mem- 
bers. 

The first Clerk of the church was Nathan MorpheW) 
who was followed by G. M. Thompson. For several 
years prior to the building of a meeting-house, serv- 
ices were held at the schoolhouse then standing on 
the present site of their house of worship, which'is 
of frame, and was built in 1846. The Trustees then 
chosen were Drury Tyner, Lewis H. Johnston and E. 
Carver. 

The pastors of this society have been Elders James 
Newhouse, G. M. Thompson, Wilson Thompson, and 
later, John Sparks, David Drummond, William 
Sparks, E. D. Thomas and Charles Reed. 

Wiley Chapel {Methodist Episcopal Church). — This 
church, located at the graveyard near Williams Creek, 
in the southwestern part of the township, is the out- 
growth of a class early organized at the house of a 
Mr. Hawkins in that vicinity. In 1823 among the 
members were the Hawkinses, the Curtises, Morrises 
and Weltons. The charge, on the organization of the 
Connersville Circuit in 1822, was placed on that cir- 
cuit, and it has since remained on the same circuit 
and circuits, growing out of the old Connersville Cir- 
cuit (Columbia and Glenwood). 

In about the year 1836 a common place for the 
worship of this society was at the house of Thomas 



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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



183 



MoflStt, and in that vicinity about this period was a 
favorite camp-meeting ground. Sabbath -school, too, 
was held in a building belonging to Mr. Moffitt, which 
had previously been used for a store. Among the 
members of the chiu'ch at about this period were 
Thomas Moffitt and wife, Robert Fielding and wife, 
John Hawkins and wife, and Mrs. Mary Campbell. 
The frame edifice now standing, though since remod- 
eled, was built not far from the year 1844. The 
ground for both church and burial purposes was 
deeded to the church by John Hawkins. 

The first interment made in the graveyard was the 
body of Frances M. Moffitt, who died March 10, 1845, 
aged five years. 

The Christian (Campbellite) Church, situated just 
east of the hamlet of Harrisburg, is the outgrowth 
of religious meetings held at private houses and in 
the schoolhouse at Harrisburg some years before the 
late war, though perhaps not formally organized until 
in 1864. It has been stated in print that the organiza- 
tion was eifected in 1864 by Elder W. G. Irvin, with 
thirty-two members. Among those early identified 
with the church were Warner Broaddua and wife, 
Edwin Wilson and wife, Edward Higham and wife, 
Thomas Robinson and wife, and Warren Drennen and 
wife. The neat and substantial church edifice in 
which the services of the society are held was erected 
in 1871, and dedicated that fall by Elder Daniel Van 
Buskirk. 



HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 

The following list contains the names of such 
persons as had in 1879 been residents of the county 
fifty years or upward: 

S. G. Tyner and wife, J. Gronendyke and wife, 
William Monteith and wife, Warner Broaddus, Sam- 
uel Pavey and wife, William Stephens, William 
Christman, William Wolf, George Wolf, David Wolf, 
James Dehaven and wife, W. VV. Thomas, Mary A. 
Honeywell, Benjamin Thomas, Josiah Kerr, Potter 
Kerr, Margaret Kerr, Elizabeth Kerr, Mary Moffitt, 
C. G. Dehaven, Stephen Thomas and wife, C. M. 
Stone, Eliza Florea, Franklin Booe and wife, Jane 
Lambert, John Ludlow, S. B. Ludlow, Hannah Lud- 
low, David Taylor and wife, Lewis Ellis and wife, 
Rachel Meeker, Nancy Hackleman, Mary Jordon, 
Thomas Shipley and wife, Joseph Caldwell and wife, 
Sidney Taylor and wife, David Gordon, Sanford Guard, 
Caroline Kolb, Zenos Powell and wife, Hiram Sparks 
and wife, John Bates, Miss E. M. Rea, Miss H. J. Rea, 
Emeline Sims, L. C. Stone, L. W. McCormick and 
wife, H. Hackleman and wife, Thomas Campbell and 
wife, U. B. Tingley and wife, Chester Meeker, 
Anson King, Rachel Hackleman, Hannah Murphy, 
Asenath Trowbridge, Jacob Dehaven and wife, Sara 
Caldwell and wife, Nancy Webb, S. J. Shipley, Eliza 
J. Morrifield, Garret Wolf, Mrs. E. Rogers, J. B. 
Bush, Sarah Smith, John H. Dehaven, Louden Smul- 
len, Elizabeth Bryant, Elizabeth Smullen. 



CHAPTER XX. 



JENNINGS TOWNSHIP. 

BOUNDARIES AND ORGANIZATION— LAND ENTRIES— EARLY SETTLEMENT AND PIO-NEER BIOGRAPHT— AQUINA— 
EARLY SCHOOLS— CHURCHES AND GRAVE-YARDS— MILLS AND DISTILLERIES— HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 



TENNINGS is one of the original five townships 
^ into which the^couaty was divided by the Com- 
missioners February 9, 1819, when its boundaries 
were described as follows: "Beginning at the south- 
west corner of Section 16, Township 13, Range 13; 
thence north to the northwest corner of Section 21, 
Township 14, Range 13; thence east along the 
line dividing Sections 21 and 16 to the boundary 
line; thence south .along said boundary to the south- 
east corner of fractional Section 18; thence west to 
the place of beginning." In addition to its present 
territory the towuship then included more than one- 
third of the present township of Liberty, and more 
than one section of Harmony Township of Union 
County. This it lost on the formation of Union 
County in 1821. 



The township is in the form of a parallelopipedon 
and has for its northern boundary Waterloo Town- 
ship, its eastern boundary Union County, its south- 
ern boundary Jackson Township, and its western 
boundary Connersville and Jackson Townships. It 
contains eighteen sections or 11,520 acres of land, 
the surface of which is rolling and of excellent pro- 
ductive quality. The streams of the township are 
Simpson Creek, Mud Run, Village and a branch of 
Eli's Creek — all small. It is well piked and the 
northern portiou is crossed by the C, H. & I. R. R. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The northern half of the township lies in Town- 
ship 14 north. Range 13 east, and the southern 
half in Township 13 north, Range 13 east. 



184 



HISTOKY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Disposing first of the former: 

John Keeaey purcliased the southwest quarter 
of Section 22, November 1, 1811. 

Lewis Noble, the southeast quarter of Section 26, 
October 23, 1811. 

Samuel Riggs, the northwest quarter of Section 
17, October 30, 1811. 

John C. Death, the northwest quarter of Section 
21, September 29, 1812. 

Abraham Vanmeter, the northeast quarter of 
Section 22, August 5, 1812. 

Isaac Fletcher, the southeast quarter of Section 

21, October 30, 1813. 

David Fletcher, the northwest quarter of Section 

22, October 27, 1813. 

Hill & Oldham, the southeast quarter of Section 

22, October 13, 1813. 

William Knott, the southwest quarter of Section 

26, July 21, 1813. 

Smith & Conner, the northeast quarter of Section 
28, January 7, 1813. 

Samuel Bell, the northeast quarter of Section 33, 
October 12, 1813. 

Peggie Shields, the northwest quarter of Section 
34, November 6, 1813. 

Jacob Darter, the southwest quarter of Section 
34, November 27, 1813. 

Thomas Simpson, the northeast quarter of Section 

23, January 11, 1814. 

Amos Sutton, the northwest quarter of Section 23, 
August 23, 1814. 

Daniel Boyles, Jr., the north half of Section 26, 
September 21, 1814. 

Michael Brown, the southeast quarter of Section 

27, January 7, 1814. 

James Ward, the northwest quarter of Section 28, 
December 3, 1814. 

Samuel Bell, the southeast quarter of Section 83, 
January 17, 1814. 

Phineas McCray, southwest quarter of Section 33, 
February 2, 1814. 

Thomas Patton, northeast (juarter of Section 34, 
October 10, 1814. 

Richard Colvin, the southeast quarter of Section 
34, September 8, 1814. 

Robert Abernathy, the northwest and southeast 
quarters of Section 35, March 10 and November 26, 
1814. 

Jonathan Hougbam, the southwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 21, August 24, 1815. 

Valentine Harman, the southeast and southwest 
quarters of Section 23, March 4, 1815, and December 
10, 1816, respectively. 

John Oldham, the southwest quarter of Section 
27, January 16, 1815. 



Samuel Bell, the northwest quarter of Section 83, 
January 6, 1815. 

Samuel Wilson, the northeast quarter of Section 
35, February 9, 1815. 

Joseph Dungan, the southwest quarter of Section 
35, March 13, 1815. 

O. Stoddard and N. Robinson, the northeast 
quarter of Section 21, February 14, 1816. 

Zachariah Daree, the northeast quarter of Section 

27, October 25, 1816. 

John Keeney, the southeast quarter of Section 28, 
March 8, 1816. 

Robert Brown, the southwest quarter of Section 

28, November 30, 1816. 

The following lands are in Township 13 north. 
Range 13 east: 

Samuel Fallen purchased the southeast quarter of 
Section 3, October 28, 1811. 

Joseph Vanmeter the northeast quarter of Section 

2, August 30, 1813. 

Giles Mattix the southwest quarter of Section 2, 
November 8, 1813. 

Joseph Vanmeter the northeast quarter of Section 

3, August 30, 1813. 

Jacob Darter the northwest quarter of Section 3, 
April 9, 1813. 

Thomas Clark, the northeast quarter of Section 4, 
August 4, 1813. 

William Patton, the northwest quarter of Section 

4, November 23, 1813. 

John Manley, the southeast quarter of Section 4, 
June 18, 1813. 

James Worster, the southwest quarter of Section 
15, September 10, 1813. 

Harod Newland, the southeast quarter of Section 
15, December 21, 1814. 

John Huff, the northwest quarter of Section 15, 
January 12, 1814. 

Benjamin H. Hanson, the northwest quarter of 
Section 14, September 10, 1814. 

Herod Newland, the northeast quarter of Section 
14, March 10, 1814. 

Joseph Vanmeter, the northeast quarter of Section 
2, March 18, 1814. 

Michael Brown, the southeast quarter of Section 
2, January 7, 1814. 

Andrew Bailey, the southwest quarter of Section 

8, August 9, 1814. 

Adam Pigman, the northeast quarter of Section 9, 
January 12, 1814. 

Jesse Pigman, the southeast quarter of Section 9, 
January 12, 1814. 

Herod Newland, the southwest quarter of Section 

9, December 21, 1814. 

John Bray, the northeast quarter of Section 10, 
January 28, 1814. 



HISTOKY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



185 



Benjamin Elliott, the northwest quarter of Section 
10, January 4, 1814. 

Ephraim Bering, the southeast quarter of Section 

10, April 2, 1814. 

John Hilif, the southwest quarter of Section 10, 
January 12, 1814. 

Hem-y Bray, the northwest quarter of Section 11, 
February 7, 1814. 

Jacob Mattis, the southeast quarter of Section 11, 
March 13, 1814. 

John Black, the southwest quarter of Section 11, 
March 29, 1814. 

William Manley, the southwest quarter of Section 
4, March 10, 1814. 

John Wood, the northwest quarter of Section 9, 
August 28, 1815. 

Solomon Wise, the northeast quarter of Section 

11, April 4, 1815. 

Elisha Crandel, the southeast quarter of Section 
14, January 19, 1815. 

William and Robert Angent, the southwest quarter 
of Section 14, April 4, 1816. 

William P. and James A. Belton, the northeast 
quarter of Section 15, November 18, 1831. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT AND PIONEER BIOGRAPHY. 

It will be noticed that the earliest purchases made 
were in 1811 and 1812, the lands lying in the north- 
ern half of the township, excepting one in Section 3, 
south of Alquina. While this is true the first settle- 
ment effected was on land not entered until 1814. 
Thomas Simpson, Sr., wJio is credited with being the 
first to settle within the present limits of the sub- 
division, was a native of Maryland, born in 1778. 
He subsequently settled in North Carolina, where he 
was married to Sarah Mabry or Marberry, and in 
after years removed to the vicinity of Clinch River, in 
Tennessee. About the year 1805 or 1806, having in 
view the purchase of land in the Territory of Indiana, 
he removed to the vicinity of Harrison, Ohio, and 
was there awaiting the further preparation of lands 
for market. Here he lived several years, and when 
one Vantrees, a Government Surveyor, was making 
up the party for the survey of the " Twelve-Mile Pur- 
chase," Simpson joined them to act as hunter for the 
party. He accompanied them and remained until the 
survey was completed (which was in progress in 1808 
-09), traveling and hunting over the country from 
Michigan to the Ohio River. On the approach of 
winter tho party built a log-cabin by a spring on the 
northeast quarter of Section 23 (Township 14, Range 
13), which they occupied during the survey of that 
region of the country. 

After the completion of the survey, and in Decem- 
ber, 1809, Mr. Simpson, by means of a four-horse 



wagon, moved his family, consisting of wife and six 
children, to the cabin, and on that site passed the 
remaining years of his life, dying February 5, 1848, 
in the seventy-sixth year of his age. 

To Thomas Simpson, Sr., a son, still residing in 
sight of the spot where the old cabin stood, around 
which cluster so many recollections of frontier life, 
the writer is indebted for the above data, and much 
other contained in this volume. Mr. Simpson was 
born in Tennessee in the year 1800 and is conse- 
quently past four score years, yet is well preserved 
physically and retains a clear memory. In 1826 he 
married Joanna S. White, who too has been spared to 
spend the evening of their lives together. 

In the vicinity of the cabin, probably three-quar- 
ters of a mile south of the spring in that early day, 
was a camping- ground for the Indians which they 
frequently occupied and many were their visits to the 
Simpson dwelling, where they were always fed, which 
kindness they remembered and no depredations were 
committed in the neighborhood. Just north of the 
creek, which by the way was known by the Indians as 
Brush or Brushy Creek, and subsequently designated 
by the pioneers as Simpsons' Creek, in honor of the 
first settler, was the place of burial of the Indians, 
and on the arrival of the Simpsons was still used. 

Probably the major portion of the early settlers of 
Jennings were emigrants from the South, yet some of 
them were natives of the North and East but had 
emigrated thither in the earlier history of that sec- 
tion. 

John and Stephen Oldham, brothers, John Keeney, 
James Smith, and Samuel Hill, all men of families, 
immigrated to the Simpson neighborhood from Ten- 
nessee about 1810 or 1811. Smith and Oldham were 
ministers of the Regular Baptist Church. These 
with later settlers came from the neighborhood in 
Tennessee in which the Simpsons had resided and 
communication had been carried on between them and 
others by which means they and others were induced 
to come. 

Jacob Darter and family settled just west of 
Alquina in 1813. He and wife Catharine emigrated 
from Vii-ginia to Campbell County, Tenn., in 1811, 
where one winter was passed and in 1812 they re- 
moved to the old Adam Eli place on East Fork, in 
what is now Union County, where the husband rented 
ground and raised one crop, then came to what is now 
Fayette County. They are believed to have been the 
first family that settled in that vicinity. That same 
season Joseph Vanmeter, who lived on the William 
Louderback place and John Manley, who lived on the 
Joseph Rutherford place, came to the neighborhood; 
the former emigrating from Ohio. About this time 
Isaac and James Jones settled in that vicinity and it 



186 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



is believed purchased land of Joseph Vanmeter. 

The followincr sketch of the life and labors of one 
of Jenning's pioneers appeared in the Liberty Herald 
of September 9, 1875: 

"Adam Pigman was born August 18, 1789, in 
Greene County, Penn. At one year of age, he was 
taken by his parents to Bracken County, Ky. , living 
some time in Fort Augusta, Bracken Station. At the 
age of four years his parents moved to Jessamine 
County, where he grew up to manhood, spending most 
of the time working at the carpenter's trade. When 
a boy, he often saw those old pioneers of Kentucky, 
Boone and Kenton, and was a nephew to James Har- 
rod, who built the first cabin on the historic 'dark 
and bloody ground.' In June, 1812, he enlisted in 
the army under Capt. Dowden, Col. Togue's regiment 
serving as Fourth Sergeant of his company, and in 
August his regiment marched for the seat of war. He 
was in the relief sent to Fort Wayne, which place 
they entered without firing a gun; then marched to 
the support of Gen. Winchester, in Ohio, following 
the defeated British and Indians under Proctor down 
the Maumee River for several days and nights. He 
was then detailed to help build Fort Amanda, on the 
Auglaize River, and was afterward in the relief sent 
to Gen. Winchester, then at Frenchtown, on the River 
Raisin, but was too late to participate in that bloody 
engagement which clothed Kentucky and Ohio in 
mourning. His command then marched to and 
helped build Fort Meigs, where, after considerable 
skirmishing, and enduring many hardships, known 
only to frontier life, in all of which he considered 
death preferable to dishonor, he was mustered out, 
and returned with a number of comrades to the home 
of his boyhood, where he again entered the service, 
this time as Lieutenant of his company. 

" He came to Indiana Territory in December, 

1813, and entered a quarter- section of land in what is 
now Fayette County, and in the summer of the nest 
year, in company with the Huff family, started again 
for the far West, traveling through the wilderness on 
foot, driving stock for his board. They arrived at 
their destination, now Rigor's Mill, in September, 

1814, and the first morning of his arrival ho shot 
nineteen wild turkeys. His first work in the now 
country was to build a house for Huff, hewing the 
timber, including the studding, braces' and rafters. 
It was the first frame house built within the limits of 
Union County, and the present residence of R. T. 
Maize. After the completion of the job, he went to 
Brookvillo — then composed of a few small cabins — 
and worked as journey carpenter with Tom Coldscott, 
and through this means obtained the money to pay 
for his land. He was married, November 4, 1815, 
to Mary, daughter of Adam Eli, from whom Eli's 



Creek derived its name. December 14, 1815, he and 
his wife moved on land in Fayette County, and on 
the night of their arrival snow fell to the depth of 
two feet and six inches, and lay on the gi'ound until 
the next spring; yet notwithstanding this and the 
many privations incident to new settlers, by the mid- 
dle of May they had cleared in the greenwood sis 
acres, and planted it in corn, and by the nest spring 
they had cleared twelve acres more, part of which they 
planted in fruit trees, being the first planted in the 
Village Creek Valley. For nine years they lived here, 
sometimes suffering greatly for the comforts of life, 
but always cheerful, submitting to any privation or 
labor that fell to their lot. 

" Fields were to be cleared in the green timber, 
roads to be cut through the trackless forest; school- 
houses were to be built; a means of defense was to be 
kept organized, in all of which he contributed his full 
share of means and time, serving as Captain of a com- 
pany of Territorial Militia for several years. In 
March, 1824, they moved to their present residence, 
to be near to and care for their aged parents. They 
had twelve children, ten of whom have already gone 
over the dark river, leaving them but two in their old 
age — Luranah, th& eldest, and Eli, who is a power of 
strength to them in their declining years. Adam Pig- 
man, now eighty six years old, in early life resolved 
to abstain from the use of whisky, coffee and tobacco, 
and has strictly adhered to that resolution from that 
year to the present time. 

Mr. Pigman and wife celebrated, November 4, 
1875, the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. 
They died, the former, September 17, and the latter 
September 23, 1876, aged eighty-seven and eighty 
years respectively." 

Many of those entering land settled upon it at 
about the time of purchase, or in some cases a little 
later, and were engaged for years in improving the 
same, while a few never settled their possessions, but 
bought for others or for speculation. 

Isaac Fletcher came from Ohio pretty early, but 
did not remain long. His laud was purchased by 
William Walker, who too came from Ohio. 

Aaron and Jonathan Haugham, from Kentucky, 
after a residence of some years, removed further West. 
The Nobles, Lewis, Daniel and Joseph, from Ten- 
nessee, were early settlers, but subsequently left the 
county. 

William Knott was from South Carolina. 

Michael Brown was from Lebanon County, Penn. 

In 1814 James Newland, from Bracken County, 
Ky., settled in the township. He had, in 1812, 
emigrated from the State of Pennsylvania. Reserved 
in the war of 1812-15. 

Jesse Pigman, who entered land here, was a broth- 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



187 



er to Adam Pigman, spoken of above. The Stod- 
dards and Kobinsons were from Ohio, and related. 
They resided on the land they entered for a j)eriod, 
then removed further West, to the Wabash country. 

Geoi-ge, the father of John C. Death, in whose 
name the land was entered, came from Ohio here, 
and subsequently removed to Montgomery County, 
this State. 

The Bells, Samuel and Joseph, from Kentucky, 
settled in the township quite early; also Stephen 
Goulding and the Woods, Jeremiah and John. 

Abraham Lyons, who died at Lyons' Station in 
1880, at the advanced age of eighty years, was a 
native of Virginia, and with his parents removed to 
Kentucky, and in 1808 settled in Indiana Territory, 
and about the year 1815 located in the vicinity of 
Alquina. He was the father of ten children. 

The Veatches, Loudenbacks and Hutchinses were 
among the pioneers of the township. 

The Rosses, from North Carolina, were pioneers 
in the vicinity of Alquina. The Rutherfords were 
from the State of Pennsylvania, and settled in Sec- 
tion 4, on a tract of 170 acres, for which, in 1830, 
Joseph paid $800. It was one of the first farms 
opened up in the township. 

Samuel Riggs, with his parents, settled early in 
Washington County, Ohio, coming from the State of 
Maryland. In 1811 Samuel walked from Washing- 
ton County to this section of the country, selected 
and entered his land, and in 1819, with family, moved 
upon it and there passed his life. 

James Worster, a native of Pennsylvania, moved 
early in life to Bracken County, Ky., with parents. 
In 1814, with family, James emigrated to what lately 
became Jennings Township. He had previously 
served in the war of 1812. Subsequently his father, 
Robert, settled in the township, and was among the 
early school teachers of the county. He is said to 
have preached the first Methodist sermon west of the 
Alleghenies. 

Amos Miliner settled in the township in 1819. 
He was a Revolutiouary soldier, and in an early day 
emigrated from Pennsylvania to Bracken County, 
Ky. He died in 1851, in the ninety-second year of 
his age. 

William Lair, a soldier of the war of 1812, and 
son of a Revolutionary soldier, a native of Virginia, 
though reared in Harrison County, Ky., some time 
subsequent to the last war with England immigrated 
to what is now this township, where he entered land 
upon which he lived and died. Several sons and 
descendants are now residents of this county. 

David Sutton, a native of Pennsylvania, in about 
1816 settled in the township on land where now 
resides his son A. B. David entered a large body of 



land, and upon a portion of which A. B. has 
resided nearly seventy years. David stopped for a 
time in Warren County, Ohio. 

In 1819 William Walker, a Virginian, settled in 
the township. He had previously lived for a time 
in the vicinity of Chillicothe, Ohio. He served in the 
war of 1812. 

The widow Garland Stanley, of North Carolina 
stock, with several childi-en immigrated from Campbell 
County, Ky. , in 1822 to Union County, this State, 
and in 1824 settled in this township. 

In 1833 John Jacob Scholl settled in the town- 
ship. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and the 
father of Jacob, Solomon and .George Scholl, of this 
township. Michael Petro, a Virginian, though from 
Ohio here, located in the township in 1816. 

ALQUINA. 

The origin of this little village seems lost to the 
few pioneers yet living in its vicinity. Fifty years 
ago it was a village of almost its present size. From 
tradition it is learned that one Green Larimore gave 
the name to the place. He was one of the early 
merchants there, and made some pretensions to per- 
form cures by the laying on of hands, and other simi- 
lar means. The village occupies ground in the 
northwestern and northeastern parts of Sections 2 
and 3 respectively, located on the road leading from 
Connersville to Dunlapsville, a little east of the cen- 
ter of the township. The original proprietor of this 
ground was Joseph Vanmeter, and the date of entry, 
1813. 

The records show that a south addition to the vil- 
lage was laid ofi" November 2, 1838, by Joseph D. 
Ross and Isaac Darter, and that the north part was 
laid off December 27, 1841, by Jacob Reed; surveyed 
by William Dickey. 

Among the early merchants of the village were 
Samuel N. Harlan, licensed in May, 1830; H. G. 
Larimore, licensed in January, 1831 (which was 
renewed for several years); Moses Lyons, licensed in 
1836; Joseph D. Ross, licensed in 1837 (in January, 
1839, Joseph D. Ross was Postmaster at this point, 
and the store was in the hands of Joseph D. & Sam- 
uel K. Ross, who were successors to Moses Lyons, the 
latter having built the store house); David Maze 
succeeded Ross, and in several years sold to John H. 
Eyestone. In September, 1839, license was granted 
to S. & T. Jackson to vend merchandise. Subsequent 
firms were Eyestone & Newland, H. H. & Thomas 
Jackson, and Maze & Jackson. 

A Mr. Mallery, John Cashner, Joseph Graham, 
Jacob Davis, Joseph Pullen, John Sims and Aaron 
Goulding have been among the earlier blacksmiths of 
the village. 



188 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Not far from 1846 a tan-yard was put in opera- 
tion by John H. Eyestone and for more tlian a decade 
was one of the industries of the place. 

Not far from 1841 George P. Lyons, Samuel 
Branum, William Freely and a fourth party erected 
a steam power saw-mill, which was operated a number 
of years. Having changed hands several times was 
finally destroyed by lire when owned by Price & 
Bros. It was rebuilt and a planing-mill attached for 
the manufacture of sash and doors. In recent years 
it was removed to another location. 

The census of 1880 gave Alquina a population of 
125. It has now a postoffice, two stores, two black- 
smith shops, one shoe shop, a schoolhouse and one 
church. 

EAKLT SCHOOLS. 

Among the early schools can be mentioned the 
one known as the Jones or Darter schoolhouse, situ- 
ated about half-way between those farms, and located, 
perhaps, a mile southwest of Alquina. About the 
year 1826 or 1827 school was taught here by Baylis 
Jones. Another schoolhouse of about this period, 
known as the Eyestone school, stood probably one 
mile east of the present Mount Garrison meeting- 
house, or two miles east of south of Alquina, on the 
Asbury Hanson farm. Green Larimore, Mr. Linn, 
Matthew R. Hull, Washington Curnutt and Thomas 
O' Brine were early teachers in this locality; also John 
P. Brown. Daddy Wooster is thought, too, to have 
taught one of the early schools in the southern part 
of Jennings Township. A little later school was 
kept in the vicinity of Alquina by Squire Harrison, of 
Connersville, and by a Mr. Barnard. These were all 
subscription schools, and the buildings constructed of 
logs. Gradually the schools received part public 
money, and finally came improvement in the build- 
ings, and the regular school districts supported 
entirely by public money. 

CHURCHES AND GEAVE-YARDS. 

On a beautiful kaoll in the northeastern part of 
the township, along Simpson's Creek, is situated 
what is known as the Simpson graveyard. It is on 
the farm and in sight of the spring where the 
cabin was built in the fall of 1808 which sheltered 
the surveying party, and soon became the home of 
Thomas Simpson, Sr., whose remains there rest, and 
whose name it honors. The first death, so far as is 
known, that occurred in the eastern part of the county, 
was that of a widow woman by name of McDade, 
who died probably before the war of 1812, or there- 
abouts, and her remains were here interred. There 
is no inscribed stone that marks the grave. The oldest 
grave marked is that of "Jesse, son of Thomas and 
Sarah Simpson, died March 27, 1816, aged two years, 



ten months and seventeen days." Another early inter- 
ment here was that of Elizabeth Sutton in 1822. 
Thomas Simpson, Sr., and wife, Sarah, dying in 
1848 and 1865, respectively, and other members of 
the family, and a number of others are here buried. 

In July, 1814, not far from this place of burial, 
was chosen by Bros. Litteral and McLaughlin (a com- 
mittee appointed for such) the site of the first meet- 
ing-house of the New Bethel Regular Baptist Church. 
They paid for one acre of ground here purchased of 
Thomas Simpson, Sr. , 12, upon which was erected a 
log meeting-house 26x20 feet. 

Elder Stephen Oldham, Rebecca Oldham, John 
Keny, Polly Keny, Thomas Simpson (deacon), Sarah 
Simpson, Rebecca Conner, Katharine Williams, 
Charles and Jane. McLaughlin, James and Sarah Con- 
naway, John Keny, Sr., Jonathan Keny, Polly Keny, 
William and Ann Oldham, and Susan White, had, 
January 15, 1814, made application for a church soci- 
ety, and on the fourth Friday of February adopted 
Articles of Faith, and were on the following day con- 
stituted a Gospel Baptist Church by the name of New 
Bethel, by the Presbytery, Lazarus Whitehead, from 
Elkhorn Church, and James Smith. 

Until his death, in 1834, Elder Oldham served 
this people from the beginning. Subsequent pastors 
have been Elders William Sparks, George Harlan, 
Daniel Conner, Thomas Lyons and others. Elders 
Reed and Parker are the present pastors. 

In 1821 steps were taken to select another site for 
a church building, and in 1822 Elder Oldham gave to 
the society one acre of ground where llie present 
building stands; and upon it was erected a second 
log meeting-house, under the superintendency of 
Matthias Dawson, Aaron and Jonathan Haugham. In 
1860 the present neat frame structure was erected on 
the site of the second building, at a cost of over 
$1,500. 

Alongside of this building is another neat frame 
structure, erected in 1853 by St. Paul's Evangelical 
Lutheran Church, which was organized about 1851, 
with the following membership: Jacob, Solomon 
Henry, Jacob, Sr., Daniel, Benjamin, Abraham John, 
Sr., John and William Scholl, Jacob and Charles 
Riebsomer, Isaac Brown, William Roth, Christian 
Isenhoser, Margaret, Nancy, Elizabeth, Sarah Eliza- 
beth, Jane and Elizabeth Scholl, Mary A. Tittering- 
ton, Hester Scholl, Mrs. William Rady, Rebecca and 
Sarah Rubsamer, Mrs. Brown, Anna M. Roth, Sa- 
trona Isenhoser, Elizabeth Heinbach, John and Sam- 
uel Smallwood, Daniel Gise, Thomas Huston, Robert 
Scarlet, Michael Brown, David Scholl, Sarah Hein- 
bach, Margaret Smallwood, Mary Huston, Amanda A. 
Smallwood, Mary and Eve Brown, Matilda Gi^e, and 
Hester Huston. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



189 



The church building was dedicated October 16, 
1853, by Rev. Riser, of Dayton, O. Regular services 
and Sabbath-school are held by this society through 
out the year. Present pastor is Rev. J. A. West. So- 
ciety is in good condition, with a membership of sev- 
enty-live. The Sabbath-school numbers 120 scholars. 

In the rear of these buildings is a burying- 
ground, a portion of which comprised a part of the 
ground given by Elder Oldham wheu the church was 
built. The grounds are in possession of the Trustees 
of the two churches. Among the aged buried here 
are the following: Samuel Wilson, aged eighty years ; 
Rachel, his wife, sixty -two years; Christian Brown, 
sixty-five years; Eve, his wife, sixty-six years; John 
Scholl, seventy-seven years; Sally, his wife, sixty- 
three years; Jacob Sholl, Sr., ninety-six years; Mary 
M., his wife, sixty-five years; Elder Stephen Oldham, 
fifty-nine years; Joseph Baldwin, seventy-six years; 
his wife, Sarah, seventy-two years; Nathan Roysdon, 
sixty-four years; William Roysdon, sixty-seven years; 
James Connaway, eighty -one years; Sarah, his wife, 
ninety-one years; Samuel Riggs, eighty-eight years; 
Elizabeth, his wife, seventy-nine years. 

The Methodist Episcopal Churches at Alquina and 
Mt. Garrison are at least sixty years old, and most 
likely were the outgrowth of classes formed prior to 
1820. In 1828 or 1829 both were appointments on 
Whitewater Circuit, and to which they belonged for 
some years thereafter. As early as 1829 or therea- 
bouts, " Veatch's meeting-house on Mt. Garrison " is 
referred to. The house as originally built was about 
half its present size, and was constructed of logs, and 
is now the northern part of the present structure 
weather-boarded, the south half being built of frame 
to the old log building a number of years later. The 
building is at present about 36x5 J: feet. Among the 
early members were some of the Veatches, the Woos- 
ters, Eyestones and Miliners. The father of James 
Wooster was a Methodist minister, and at the son's 
house services were often held. 

The first house of worship for the Alquina congre- 
gation was ft log structure about 24x34: feet, and 
stood on the hill probably 100 yards east of the pres- 
ent schoolhouse. It occupied such position in 1839, 
but when built we cannot state. This building was 
used until the present one constructed of frame was 
completed. The dedication of the latter took place 
August 8, 1858— sermon by Rev. John W. Locke, 
then Presiding Elder of the district. Among the 
early members were the Darters, the Joneses and the 
Mills. 

At Mt. Garrison is a very old graveyard, where 
within ^the shadow of the old church sleep many to 
whom she looked for support in by-gone years. The 
ground for burial purposes was deeded by James 



Veatch, and that upon which the church stands was 
donated by John and Samuel Huflf. The earliest 
grave marked by a tombstone, whose inscription is 
legible, is that of Susannah, daughter of James and 
Mary Veatch, died July 9, 1819, aged one year and 
four days. Among the aged buried here are: 
Robert Wooster, died in December, 1830, aged one 
hundred and one years; Mary, his wife, in 1832, sev- 
enty-five years; James Wooster, sixty-six years; 
Nancy, his wife, eighty-six years; Amos Miliner, 
a Revolutionary soldier, ninety-one years; Jesse 
Pigmau, eighty-sevea years; Adam Ely, seventy-three 
years; James Veatch, eighty-five years; Elisha Cran- 
del, seventy-nine years; Margaret, his wife, sixty- 
eight years; James Bolton, seventy-two years; Jane, 
his wife, seventy-nine years; Adam Pigman, eighty - 
six years; Mary, his wife, seventy nine years. 

On Village Creek in Section 34 is located another 
burying-ground, where other pioneers rest, among 
them Hugh Bell, aged eighty-five years; William 
Lair, eighty six years; Samuel Bell, seventy-five 
years; Sarah, his wife, seventy-two years; Robert 
Shields, seventy-seven years; Margaret Shields, 
eighty-three years; Mary, wife of Philip Loudenback, 
eighty years. The oldest grave marked by a legible 
tombstone is that of John Lair, Sr., died October 7, 
1821. The following epitaph is taken from a tomb- 
stone in one of the family burying-grounds of the 
township: 

"Not all the pains that e'er I bore 
Shall spoil my future peace, 
For death and hell can do no more 
Than what my Father please." 

MILLS AND DISTILLERIES. 

Among those who operated distilleries in the early 
period of the township's history were John Harlan, 
James Riggs, William Walker, Hige Hubbell and 
Michael Petro. Then quite extensive peach crops 
were raised and good peach brandy made. Copper 
stills at that period were found on nearly every spring 
or branch. The father of Job Stout distilled some 
later. 

The first and only grist-mill of the township was 
erected on Simpson's Creek some time prior to 1826, 
by Henry Cashner, who also run in connection with 
it a saw-mill and distillery. It subsequently passed 
into the hands of Peter Fiant, and later was owned 
by Lewis Monger, and for quite a number of years 
did considerable business, but finally fell into disuse. 
The old frame is still standing. 

HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 

The following list contains the names of such cit- 
izens of the township as had in 1879 resided in the 



190 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



county fifty years and upward: Joseph R. Darter, 
Abraham Sutton, Abraham Lyons and wife, Nathan 
Stanley, James R. Darter, Greenbmy Hanson, Jarvey 



Ball, Sarah J. Murphy, James Hulgan, John Newland, 
Elizabeth Veatch, Isaac Louderback, Margaret 
Elliott. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP. 

BOUNDARIES AND ORGANIZATION— LAND ENTRIES— PIONEBR SETTLEMENT AND BIOGRAPHV- MILLS AND DISTIL 
LERIES— SCHOOLS— CHURCHES AND GRAVE-YARDS— HAMLETS— HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 



COLUMBIA is the central of the southern tier 
of townships of the county, and lies south of 
Connersville Township, west of the river, north of 
Franklin County, and east of the township of Orange. 
It was one of the original townships into which the 
county was divided in 1819, and at that time its 
boundaries were designated as follows: "Begin- 
ning at the southeast corner of Section 33 in Town- 
ship 13, Range 13; thence west along the line divid- 
ing the counties of Franklin and Fayette to the west- 
ern boundary of the county of Fayette; thence north 
along said count}- line live miles; thence on a direct 
line east to the northwest corner of Section 8, in 
Township 13, Range 12; thence east along the line 
dividing Sections 8 and 9 in Township 13, Range 13; 
thence south on the line dividing said Sections 8 and 
9, to the southwest corner of Section 16, Township 
and Range last aforesaid; thence east to the line divid- 
ing the counties of Franklin and Fayette; thence south 
along the said line to the place of beginning." 

The township then included, besides its present 
territory, all of Orange Township as it now is, except- 
the two northern tiers of sections, and all of Jackson 
as it now is, except the two eastern tiers of sections 
south of Jennings Township. This latter territory it 
lost on the formation of Jackson in 1820, and the 
former on the formation of Orange in 1822. 

The surface of the country is rolling, portions of 
which are considerably broken, though along the river 
are fine bottoms of most excellent land. The streams 
are Fall Creek in the north, "West Fork of Whitewater 
River in the east, and crossing the central and south- 
western portions are the north and south branches of 
Garrison's Creek. The land in general is less valu- 
able than in other subdivisions unless it be Orange- 
Population in 1880, 803. 

LAND ENTEIES. 

The land lies in Township 13 north. Range 12 
east, and was sold by the government, as follows: 
Northeast quarter of Section 27, 1811, to John 



Grist. Northeast quarter of Section 28, 1811, to 
Moses Martin. Southwest quarter of Section 22, 
1811, to Charles Scott and R. Russell. Northeast 
quarter of Section 33, 1811, to Edward Webb. North- 
east quarter of Section 34, 1811, to Elijah Limpus. 
Southeast quarter of Section 34, 1811, to M. Huston 
and H. J. Byram. Southwest quarter of Section 34, 
to Hugh Reed. Northeast quarter of Section 22, 
1811, to Edward Webb. Southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 22, 1811, to William Gerard. Northwest quar- 
ter of Section 14, 1811, to Nicholas Reagan. South- 
west quarter of Section 14, 1811, to William Eagan. 
Northwest quarter of Section 23, 1811, to William 
Helm. Northeast quarter of Section 15, 1812, to 
Morgan Vardiman. Southwest quarter of Section 
23, 1812, to Gabriel Ginn. Northeast quarter of 
Section 9, 1812, to Benjamin McCarty. Northwest 
quarter of Section 34, 1812, to John Richardson. 
Southeast quarter of Section 28, 1812, to Enoch 
Limpus. Southeast quarter of Section 29, 1813, to 
Jonathan Gillam. Southeast quarter of Section 27, 

1813, to Allen Crisler. Section 10, 1813, to John 
Knox, Jaraes Hamilton, James Newhouse and Chris- 
topher Ladd, each a quarter. Northwest quarter of 
Section 11, 1813, to W. S. Hand. Southwest quarter 
of Section 11, 1813, to Benjamin Sailor. Southeast 
quarter of Section 20, 1813, to John Bridges. South- 
west quarter of Section 22, 1813, to Reuben Conner. 
Southeast quarter of Section 15, 1813, to William 
Helm. Northwest quarter of Section 15, 1814, to 
William Conner. Northeast quarter of Section 17, 

1814, to James Buchanan. Southwest quarter of 
Section 17, 1814, to Robert Mitchell. Fractional 
Section 18, 1814, to Charles Hardy. Northeast quar- 
ter of Section 20, 1814, to Elijah Stevens. North- 
west quarter of Section 20, 1814, to Wilson Waddams. 
Northwest quarter of Section 22, 1814, to John Conner. 
All except the southwest quarter of Section 8, 1814, 
to Benjamin McCarty, Samuel Logan and Samuel 
Newhouse each a quarter. Northwest quarterof Sec- 
tion 9, 1814, to R. Marshall, or Manhall. South half 





f^ jtjin.yLtAyt^tJ'n^// 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



193 



of Section 9, 1814, to Benjamin McCarty. Northwest 
quarter of Section 27, 1814, to William Conner. 
Southwest quarter of Section 21, 1814, to James 
Wiley. Northeast quarter of Section 30, 1815, to 
Robert Glidwell. Southwest quarter of Section 15, 
1815, to Benjamin Sailor. Northwest quarter of 
SectioQ 28, 1816, to Elijah Allen. Northeast quarter 
of Section 29, 1816, to Eaoch Hills. Northwest 
quarter of Section 29, 1816, to Lewis Bishop. South- 
west quarter of Section 8, 1817, to Gale Smith. 
Northwest quarter of Section 17, 1817, to Gale Ham- 
ilton. Fraction of Section 7, 1817, to S. Todd and 
William C. Drew. Eighty acres of Section 33, 1818, 
to Enoch Limpus. Eighty acres of the same section 
1819, to Horatio Mason. (The remaining quarter of 
same section, 1831, in eighty-acre tracts to James Con- 
well, Henry Vandalson,Hugh Reed and Isaac Thomas.) 
East half of the southwest quarter of Section 27, 
1818, to Allen Crisler. West half of same quar- 
ter, 1831, to William Wherrott. East half of the 
southwest quarter of Section 19, 1818, to Wilson 
Waddams. The rest of Section 19, from 1820 to 
1835, mostly in forty and eighty. acre tracts, to Charles 
Hardy, Benjamin F. Utter, James Con well, George 
Klum, John G. Gray, John Ronald, John Combs, 
Horatio N. Burgoyne and William Jacobs. South- 
west quarter of Section 20, 1832, to Elijah Stevens. 
The rest of Section 21, from 1839 to 1834, mostly in 
eighty-acre tracts,to Wilson Waddams, James Conwell 
and Isaac Limpus. The rest of Section 17, from 
1832 to 1835, in forty and eighty-acre tracts, toH. N. 
Burgoyne, W. C. Plummer and James Conwell. The 
rest of Section 30, from 1832 to 1836, in small tracts 
to Charles Stevens, Benjamin Tharpe, Job Waltz and 
James Conwell. Forty acres, Section 32, 1834, to James 
Wells, Jr. Eighty acres of the same Section, 1826, to 
F. A Conwell. A portion of fractional Section 7, 1830, 
to Thomas Hibbs; 1832, to John G. Gray. The rest 
of Section 29, from 1831 to 1834, small tracts, to 
Cornelius and Rinerd Rinerson. Section 31, from 
1826 to 1836, in small tracts, James Moore, Charles 
Melond, James Linville, Charles Morrow and S. 
Resum. Section 32, from 1831 to 1836, in small 
tracts, Rinerd Rinerson, Moses Harrell, John J. 
Shaw and F. A. Conwell. 

PIONEER SETTLEMENT AND BIOGRAPHY. 

Similar tracts of land in this township to those in 
most others were chosen by the first settlors, namely, 
those along the water courses. It will be noticed 
that all entries of land made in 1811 were along the 
river and on other streams. 

The settlement of the township may be said to 
have been begun in the year 1811; however, it is 
quite probable that William Eagan, an Irishman, 



though from Maryland here, settled earlier. His 
brother, John, it is reliably said, was living in a cab- 
in just over the river from the Nulltown bridge, in 
Jackson Township, in 1809. The writer has been 
unable to learn anything definite as to this settle- 
ment, but inasmuch as John and his father resided 
on the east side of the river, and almost on its very 
banks, and from the fact of William entering land 
among the first, upon which he lived and died, it is 
not unreasonable to suppose that he most likely came 
at the same time the other members of the family 
came. 

The settlers who came in 1811, 1812 and 1813 
settled along the streams named, and were with little, 
if any, exception, from the State of Kentucky. Those 
of whom any definite or satisfactory information could 
be obtained are William Helm, who on the 10th of 
March, 1811, with family emigrated from Mason 
County, Ky. He and his wife had been inmates of 
Bryant's Station during its memorable siege by the 
Indians, and the husband had been engaged for some 
time in the border wars. At the beginning' of the war 
of 1812 he was commissioned Major, and placed in 
command of the troops guarding the frontier. Judge 
Helm was deeply imbued with the hospitality of his 
countrymen. He was a strong and good man, and for 
a number of years was one of the Associate Judges of 
the county. "His judgment was sound, and his in- 
tegrity above question.'' He was the father of Mere- 
dith Helm, of this county. Dr. Jefferson Helm, of Rush, 
and Robert D. Helm, of Wabash. 

Edward Webb, John and perhaps Daniel Con- 
ner (the latter brothers) emigrated from Boone Coun- 
ty, Ky., and settled on the Big Bottom, where they 
resided a year or two or more, and while there visited 
the Whitewater country, and some time prior to the 
fall of 1813 selected and purchased laud, built cab- 
ins, set out two orchards and in the spring of 1814 
removed their families. Mr. Webb was a man of con- 
siderable ability and figured conspicuously in the 
early affairs of the county. On the organization of 
the county he was chosen one of the Associate Judges 
and was honored with that office for twenty-seven con- 
secutive years, at the expiration of which time he ten- 
dered his resignation for the reason that his hearing 
had become so affected that he could not hear the tes- 
timony. 

In the fall of 1813 — not long before Christmas — 
Allen Crisler and Joshua Crigler, from Boone County, 
Ky., settled in the same neighborhood, and occupied 
one or both cabins above referred to until their own 
homes were built. 

Vincent Cooper emigrated from Kentucky, coming 
some time prior to the Crislers and Criglers. 

Michael Hackleman (from Kentucky), Abraham 

10 



194 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Bays, Charles Scott, the Gillams, Jonathan and Dav- 
id, and James Newhouse (from Virginia) settled in 
the township prior to 1814; Isaac, Enoch, Levi, Eli- 
jah and Jonathan Limptis, brothers, natives of Vir- 
ginia, though they had settled in Kentucky early, 
going from thence to Butler County, Ohio, and to 
what is now Columbia Township in 1813. 

Many of these early families were related and came 
from the same locality. The Webbs, Conners, Crig- 
lers, Crislers, Helms and Hacklemans were all con- 
nected in some way. 

Philip and Horatio Mason with their wives settled 
on Garrison's Creek in 1817. They emigrated from 
Herkimer County, N. Y. , in the spring of 1816, go- 
ing by sleigh to Olean Point on the Allegheny River, 
thence to Cincinnati by raft and to the vicinity of 
Laurel by wagon. Samuel Jenks, a brother-in-law 
to Philip Mason, was a resident of that vicinity and 
with him Philip stopped and shared their cabin home 
until in Januai'y, 1817, when he removed to a cabin 
upon land on Garrison's Creek, which he had previ- 
ously purchased. He assisted Mr. Jenks during the 
season of 1816 in raising a crop of corn. This sea- 
son was known throughout the United States as the 
cold season. Dr. Mason thus refers to it in his 
autobiography. "We finished planting our corn on the 
morning of the 7th day of June, our fingers suffering 
from the cold. Though we had frost early in Octo- 
ber, which injured our corn, yet we had what might 
be said to have been good crops, yielding at least fif- 
ty bushels of good corn to the acre." 

Dr. Mason became pi'ominent in the affairs of 
the county. Before Fayette County was formed he 
served as one of the Commissioners of Franklin 
County. He was active, useful and conspicuous 
from the very beginning in the pioneer settlements of 
the vicinity in which he resided and prominent in sub- 
sequent life. He was an early teacher, farmer, 
miller, merchant, physician, practicing at various 
points throughout the county. He was one of the 
early militia officers. In 1839 he was chosen the first 
Judge of the Probate Court of the county and served 
as such until 1834. He was elected to the State Leg- 
islature in 1835 with Caleb B. Smith. He served 
again in that body in 1838 and in 1840. Dr. Mason 
was a very prominent Free Mason. He served as Master 
of Warren Lodge of Connersville for a period of 
thirteen years, and as Grand Master of the Grand 
Lodge of the State eight years. 

The following sketch istaken from the "Reminis- 
cences" of Hon. Elijah Hackleman, published in the 
Rushville Republican in 1884: 

"George Pogue emigrated from South Carolina in 
the year 1814, and settled at the 'Block-house' at 
William Wilson's, on the west fork of Whitewater, 



six miles above the town of Brookville, Franklin 
County. At that time it was necessary for all immi- 
grants to settle near some military post, for protec- 
tion against Indian invasions. In the spring of 1816 
he moved to Fayette County, about five miles south- 
west of Connersville, and in 1818 he moved to the 
town of Conner.sville, remaining there until 1820, 
when he fitted up a team, and with two or three of 
his sons started to locate a home on White River. 
Mr. Pogue was accompanied by John McCormaek and 
family (a wife and two children), who had resided 
for many years in the vicinity of Connersville. Mr. 
McCormaek went out with the double purpose, first of 
boarding Mr. Pogue's hands while engaged in build- 
ing a cabin and clearing a few acres of ground; and 
secondly, of locating a home for himself. The site 
chosen by Pogue for his cabin is about one mile east 
of the court house in the city of Indianapolis, and 
about eighty rods north of the National road. After- 
ward when the location of the city of Indianapolis 
was made, it was found that a few acres of Pogue's 
clearing was on the 'Donation,' that is, within the 
four sections donated for a capital for the State. His 
family, after the cabin was built, immediately moved 
from Connersville to their new home. The next year 
(1821) Mr. Pogue's neighbors were John Willson, 
Thomas Chinn, and Harris Tyner. 

"Early in this year Mr. Pogue's horses strayed 
away toward the settlements on Whitewater, and 
soon afterward he took his dog and gun and started 
iu pursuit. Visiting Connersville, and not finding 
them, he then came through the new settlements on 
Little Flat Rock, spending some days with his son, 
William Pogue, and then started on his return home, 
making Richard Tyner's, on Blue River, near Mor- 
ristown, the first night. Here he heard of an Indian 
camp on Sugar Creek, some eight or ten miles west, 
where horses answering to the description of his had 
been seen a few days before ifi possession of the Indi- 
ans. The next morning Mr. Pogue started for the 
Indian camp, and the last time ho was ever seen was 
at the crossing of Blue River, near Mr. Tyner's. A 
few days after this his dog returned home. It was 
generally thought that the Indians murdered him; if 
so, it was probably the last mui'der committed by 
Indians in central Indiana. If I recollect correctly, 
a few years later one of his horses was found in pos- 
session of the Indians, in the Upper Wabash country. 

"The widow of Mr. Pogue lived here for a number 
of years, raising a large family of children. A few 
years ago she was still living, at an advanced age, 
with her daughter, Mrs. Anna Fullen, near Crawfords- 
ville, having spent a life-time in anxiously awaiting 
some ray of light on the mysterious disappearance of 
her long lost husband. The land on which the cabin 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



195 



stood was bought by Gov. Noble, and the only 
time I ever visited the site was on the occasion 
when the "Great Commoner" from Kentucky, Henry 
Clay, made his first and only visit to the capital of our 
State, in October, 1842, and made his celebrated 
speech to 30,000 persons assembled in the beautiful 
grove near the residence of Gov. Noble. The senti- 
ments uttered by that great statesman became the 
keynotes for the Presidential campaign of 181:8. 
William Pogue and myself had come over from Rush- 
ville, by the way of Greenfield, and joined the escort 
of the State's distinguished guest at the latter place, 
and had done our share of ' kicking up a dust, ' along 
the National road to the Capitol, the main caravan 
f rom Eushville of 250 wagons having taken the direct 
road to Indianapolis. 

"But I must not digress, as these incidents may 
come up iu a future number. What I wish to say is, 
that after the speech, William Pogue invited me to 
take a walk with him, a few rods north from the 
speaker's stand, and visit the site where he, twen- 
ty-two years before, had helped his father erect the 
first cabin in all that country, on the banks of a beau- 
tiful little creek that still bears the name of 'Pogue's 
Run,' its clear, limpid waters still sparkling and 
flashing in the sunlight, as in the days of yore, ever 
reminding the visitor of that sturdy old pioneer, 
George Pogue, who, in primitive times, marked out 
the first road through the dense forest, from the White- 
water Valley to the site of the State capital, but of 
whose resting-place, no man knows. After the erec- 
tion of Pogue's cabin, Mr. McCormack located and 
built up a home somewhere in the vicinity, probably 
on what was afterward the 'Donation;' but of the 
exact site neither history nor tradition affords any 
satisfactory information this late day. Mr. McCor- 
mack died a little over fifty years ago, and part of his 
large family found homes in Rush County. One lit- 
tle waif (Mary Ann) floated to my father's house, 
and afterward became the wife of James Hawkins, 
who for a number of years was an honored citizen of 
the Upper Wabash Valley, and whose oldest son 
marched at the head of a company with ' Sherman to 
the Sea.' Mrs. McCormack always claimed to be the 
first white woman that lived within the limits of the 
city of Indianapolis, and her claim was probably cor- 
rect. She died about the year 1878, having lived a 
number of years with a second husband, a Mr. King, 
near the Bluflfs of White River. On the last visit of 
Mrs. King to her niece, Mrs. James S. Sailors, of 
Indianapolis, in 1875, an ovation was given her by 
some of the old citizens of the place, at which time a 
t7o(M->iaZ reporter snatched from oblivion several inci- 
dents of olden times, as related by her." 

The venerable John A. White, still a resident of 



the township, though his hair is silvered by the 
frosts of quite ninety winters, came to the neighbor- 
hood in August, 1815, locating on Williams Creek, 
but in the course of a year or little more removed to 
the vicinity of his present residence, and with little 
exception has resided there ever since. Mr. White is 
a native of Virginia, born in 1795. His father died 
when he was quite young; his mother remarrying, he, 
in his sixteenth year, left home, going to the State 
of Kentucky. In August, 1813, at Somerset, in that 
State, he volunteered in the Fifteenth Regiment, 
Kentucky Infantry, commanded by Col. Salter, Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of the State. He was on the vessel 
commanded by Commodore Perry, at Lake Erie, three 
days after the battle, and while it was yet stained 
with blood. He was in Shelby's brigade in the reserve 
of Johnson, at the battle of the Thames, and viewed 
the lifeless form of Tecumseh, on the batle-tield. 
He was on the picket line at New Orleans that 
brought on the battle, in which he participated; his 
service in all consisting of two compaigns, the first of 
three months' duration, when he retired to the farm, 
resuming his occupation. Here he remained, until, 
feeling that his country was in peril, he, like Cin- 
cinnatus of old, left the plow in the furrow, and 
again went to the front and served for a period of 
nine months and three days. Mr. White, in 1821, 
married Emelia, daughter of Allen Crisler, and they 
have shared life's joys and cares together upward of 
sixty-three years. A modest little log-cabin on the 
brow of a hill, just below the village of Alpine, com- 
manding a beautiful and picturesque view of the river 
and suiTounding hills, built by his own hands, and 
which for more than a half century has sheltered them 
from the storms of winter and summer's heat, is yet 
their dwelling place, where around the hearthstone of 
their early married years happy hours were whiled 
away, and where played their children and children's 
children, this venerable and pure-minded couple are 
passing the evening of their lives together.* 

In 1819, Joshua Heizer, a native of Virginia, and 
a soldier in the war of 1812, settled in the township. 

Reuben Conner, from Boone County, Ky. , settled 
in the township in 1819. He was occupied as a farmer, 
and died in 1847. He was the father of B. F. Con- 
ner, of this county. 

A number of these early pioneers not only were 
identified in the great transformation of the wilder- 
ness into blossoming fields, but played their part 
in the early political, civil and religious history of 
the county. We have noticed above the valuable 
services of Judges Webb and Helm and Dr. Mason. 
Two of the Conners, John and Daniel, were for a long 

♦Since the above was written we learn that Mr. White has passed away, 
his death having occurred in the fall of 1S84. 



196 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



period of years ministers in the Old School Baptist 
Church. 

The old residence built and occupied by Judge 
Webb about 1817 still stands, occupying a site on 
the fertile bottom land along Whitewater River, a 
situation commanding a beautiful view. It is of the 
second class of pioneer cabins, constructed of hewed 
logs, two stories high and the building in size being 
about 18x28 feet; on the north end of the building is 
a large chimney constructed of stone of various sizes, 
built on the outside of the house; two doors from 
without open into the house, one on either side. 
Below on either side is one window, though of differ- 
ent sizes, and on the east side of the second floor are 
two half or garret windows. Within the house are 
three apartments, one above and two below, each 
floor being provided with one fireplace, large below 
and small on the second floor. This is said to have 
been the substantial house of that day in the settle- 
ment. 

Just below Nulltown, and not far from the old 
burying-ground, stood the old block-house built by 
the settlement for protection against the Indians 
during the war of 1S12. 

The Winchol family settled in what is now the 
township, during the first decade in the century, and 
formed a part of that noble band instrumental in con- 
verting the forests of that day into the beautiful fields 
of this. 

MILLS AND DISTILLERIES. 

The first mill in the township is thought to have 
been a saw-mill erected by Allen Crisler. It stood 
not far from the present site of the barn of William 
Seals, at the north end of Alpine. This mill was in 
operation in the summer of 1815, and was built not 
far from that time, likely in 1814. Dr. Mason in his 
autobiography speaks of framing a mill-house for 
Allen Crisler in the summer of 1816. The Doctor 
traded his farm for the mill that fall, and thus 
speaks of it: "There was a very good saw-mill, with 
a separate building, a good stone wall for the first 
story, on which stood the frame I had put up for a 
mill-house, with one run of common granite mill- 
stones, and a bolting chest with a small bolt, which 
was turned by hand for bolting flour made from 
wheat." The mills were operated by the Doctor and 
his brother Horatio, who became a partner, until in 
the fall of 1818, when the same parties resumed their 
old possessions— trading back. In about 1817 John 
A. White commenced as the miller at this mill. 
Subsequently a still-house and hemp-mill were added, 
and all four operated by Col. Crisler, until a change 
in the coarse of the river destroyed the power and all 
vrent into disuse. 

Thomas Silvy built a saw-mill at quite an early 



date at Nulltown, which finally passed into the hands 
of the Null brothers, Israel and Michael, who built 
an addition to it — a little grist-mill — and after Cris- 
ler's mill went down, the Nulls built a very large 
flouring and grist-mill, which was not in operation 
many years, the canal and hydraulic destroying the 
power. 

Not far from 1844 the present grist-mill at Alpine 
was built by Thomas J. Crisler, James and John 
Limpus. This was operated by these men for a time, 
then passed through various hands, and in 1863 it 
was purchased by Thomas and A. N. Bruner, and it is 
still in the Bruner name. The saw-mill here was 
built by the same parties two years prior. 

In the early history of the township there were 
copper stills operated on almost every spring or 
branch. About 1819 William Helm had one in oper- 
ation on Garrison's Creek, and about the same time 
John Conner had one on his farm. On Garrison's 
Creek, in 1815 or thereabouts, there was quite an 
extensive distillery carried on by Wilson Waddams. 
He at first, while Indiana was yet a Territory, oper- 
ated a small still, and some later built the large one. 
There was a corn ci-acker in connection with the latter. 

About the year 1833 H. N. Burgoyne built a saw 
and grist-mill in Section 19 on the south fork of 
Garrison's Creek, which after changing hands a 
number of times fell into the possession of Nathan 
Lewis and brother, some twenty years ago, and was 
carried on by them two years, when they built the 
present saw-mill on that site. 

Probably one mile above the Wilson Waddam 
mill and distillery, on the south fork of Garrison's 
Creek, Isaac Thomas built a saw-mill not far from 
forty years ago. 

Isaac Limpus for several years operated a copper 
still on his land. Some forty-eight or fifty years ago 
James Limpus carried on distilling on a large scale 
near Columbia. 

The distillery now below Nulltown was removed 
from Jackson Township by a company some eight or 
ten years ago, by whom the business was carried on 
several years. It is not in use at present. 

EARLY SCHOOLS. 

The first schoolhouse built in the township was 
near the old graveyard and Franklin Church just 
below Nulltown, erected in the Kentucky settlement 
probably in the spring or summer of 1815. Gabriel 
Ginn, who is thought to have taught the first school 
in this house in 1815, was the master in that house 
and settlement for several years. This schoolhouse 
was built prior to the old Franklin meeting house 
that stood by it, which was commenced in 1815. 
Some years later school was taught in a cabin about 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



197 



one mile southwest of Alpine, by Mark Whitacre, a 
Kentuckian; Robert Helm and Miss Klum taught in 
that neighborhood. In 1821 or just prior thereto a 
log cabin schoolhouse was built about one mile west 
of Alpine; Daniel Mclntyre, a Kentuckian, taught 
here early. Misa Klum and Dr. Philip Mason also 
taught in this house. In speaking of the winter of 
1820-21, Dr. Mason, in his autobiography, says, "I 
then engaged to teach a school during the next win- 
ter in a log-cabin schoolhouse that stood on my land. 
Early in December I commenced my school. It was 
made up of children from seven to seventeen years 
of age, all of whom had had very limited opportuni- 
ties of learning. A. B. C's. , spelling and reading 
constituted by far the most that was taught. A few 
learned to write, and a very few studied the simples 
of arithmetic." ***** Jq subsequent 
houses built for the accommodation of the children 
in this section of the county, or vacated dwelling 
cabins used for school purposes, Benjamin Smith, 
David Allen, George Winchell and Jefferson Cris- 
ler are remembered as teachers. 

In the northern part of the township, on the Hink- 
Bon Halstead land, stood one of the early school - 
houses of that section of the country. John Bonald 
taught the first school in this cabin. 

CHURCHES AND GRAVE -YABD8. 

At the grave -yard just south of Nulltown was 
originally located the Old School Baptist Church. 
The land now constituting the grave-yard and that 
adjoining it on the north, where the old meeting- 
house stood, was purchased of Abraham Bays and 
William Egan late in the year 1814, or in January, 
1815. On the 5th of February, 1814, at an assembly 
of the Old School Baptists residing in the surround- 
ing country, it was agreed to meet at the house of 
Mary Martin on Garrison's Creek, March 27th fol- 
lowing, for the purpose of constituting a church. At 
this meeting Elders Lewis Dewesse and William 
Tyner, from Cedar Grove, Elder James Smith from 
West Fork, and Elder John Blades, with some lay 
members or messengers, constituted the church, which 
was designated, Franklin Baptist Church, with the 
following members: Charles Scott, William and 
Elizabeth Helm, Archibald and Rachel Guthrie, 
Allen and Frances Crisler, John and Polly Conner, 
Joshua and Sarah Crisler, David and Elizabeth 
Gilliam, Jonathan and Polly Gilliam, William and 
Sarah Morgan, Edward and Polly Webb, John Webb, 
James and Elizabeth Newhouse, and Hugh Brownlee. 

Meetings were held at private dwellings until the 
meeting house was constructed, which they agreed to 
build the following February. This meeting-house 
was constructed of hewed logs, having one story and 



a gallery. In March, 1815, Messrs. Webb, Crisler 
and Sailors were appointed to let the building of the 
meeting-house to the lowest bidder. It seems from 
the records that the gallery, pulpit lloor and seats 
were not finished until 1817; however, the building 
was in use long before its completion. 

The pulpit was for several years supplied by the 
preachers from the neighboring churches. John Con- 
ner was ordained an Elder in 1817, who, in connection 
with Elder James Newhouse, served the church until 
his death, and the latter until his removal. Later, 
another of the Elders was Daniel Conner. Elder 
Madison Conner was for years one of the regular res- 
ident ministers. Next came Elder William Sparks, 
who still preaches for them. The old meeting-house 
in the course of years became unfit for use, and not 
far from 1850 was abandoned, and the congregation 
secured land of Allen Crisler at Alpine, that point 
being more convenient, and upon it built the present 
frame edifice. 

In 1855 the present frame church building near 
the grave-yard before referred to was erected and has 
since been used by the Fayette Baptist Church. This 
was the outgrowth of the division in the church gen- 
eral, occurring in 1845 or 1840. June 30, 1849, 
Elder Daniel Conner, H. D. Conner and wife, Mary 
Conner, Nancy Reed, Henry Morrfs, Corwin Mills- 
paugh and wife, and Benjamin F. Carter were con- 
stituted the Fayette Baptist Church. Before the 
erection of the meeting-house services were held in 
the neighborhood schoolhouse. Elder Daniel Conner, 
until his death, was the regular preacher in charge of 
the congregation. He was assisted by Elders Harvey 
Wright, Corwin Millspaugh, H. W. Conner and Ben- 
jamin F. Carter, four gifts that had soon come out of 
the church, and were ordained in 1854, from that year 
until they were removed by death or left the neigh- 
borhood. One of the number. Elder D. H. Conner, 
is still with the conejreg'ation. 

The first person buried in the old grave yard was 
the body of Sally Martin, who died in 1814 or 1815. 
The oldest grave marked by a tombstone is that of 
Elizabeth Fullen, consort of Samuel Fullen, born Jan- 
uary 30, 1775, died November 18, 1818. Among the 
aged whose remains rest here and are marked by 
tombstones bearing legible inscriptions are Phoebe, 
wife of John Egan, died in 1855, aged sixty-five 
years; Levi Limpus, died in 1867, aged seventy-nine 
years; Elizabeth Limpus, died in 1854, aged sixty- 
four years; Joel Scott, died in 1855, aged sixty-nine 
years; Ellen Burrows, died in 1831, aged seventy- 
three years; Thomas Ross, died in 1877, aged ninety- 
six years. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Columbia is 
the outgrowth of the old Hardy class, composed of 



198 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



the family of that name— parents, daughters, and a 
son, John, and possibly others. The father was a 
local preacher, who had traveled in Georgia before 
his location here. This was an appointment on the 
Oonnersville Circuit when it was organized in 1822, 
with which it remained until Columbia Circuit was 
organized in 1851, with Rev. Thomas Williams as 
preacher. Since that time Columbia has been one of 
the appointments with the several Methodist Episco- 
pal Churches in the western part of the county. Their 
next frame edifice was erected some years prior to the 
late war. 

Near the church is a beautiful cemetery which is 
dotted over with graves marked by a number of mon- 
uments of neat and pretty design. The yard does 
not give evidence of age, as the oldest inscription we 
found bears the date of 1845. Among the aged 
interred here were Liters Black, died in 1881, aged 
eighty-live years; William Jones, born in 1790, died 
in 1871; Lucinda Jones, born in 1790, died in 1862; 
William Wherrett, died in 1852, aged eighty-one 
years; Zimri Utter, born in 1794, died in 1880; 
Susan, his wife, born in 1798, died in 1864. 

TuUis Chapel, a Methodist Episcopal Church, 
situated in the northern part of the township, dates 
back to the organization of Connersville Circuit, in 
1822, at which time a class had been assembling at 
the house of Mr. Hinkson, which was located in what 
is now the southern part of Connersville Township. 
Among the early members were John Hinkson and 
wife Elizabeth, and their daughter Susan, Anna 
Reagan, a Mrs. Roberts, William Harrall, and George 
Hinkson and wife. Of this class John Grace was the 
Leader. The first building erected by the society was 
of brick, and not far from the year 1836. The pres- 
ent building was built during the early part of the 
late war Until the organization of Columbia Cir- 
cuit in 1851, this appointment was on Connersville 
Circuit. It has since been connected with other so- 
cieties along the western part of the county — on cir- 
cuits that have since been the outgrowth of Conners- 
ville Circuit. 

The grave-yard near by is as old as the church. 
One acre of ground for both purposes was given by 
Henry Tullis. The new building was erected on 
ground deeded by John Messersmith. 

In 1829, or by the spring of 1830, the Rev. John 
D. Thompson, formerly an Old School Baptist minis- 
ter, though then recently preaching the doctrines of 
the Reformation (Campbellism), organized such a so- 
ciety at the house of Judge Webb, along the river 
near Nulltown. This may be said to have been the 
beginning of what years afterward resulted in the so- 
ciety organized at Columbia, which erected the church 
building still standing there, though with little ex- 



ception disused during the past decade by that denom- 
ination. Among those identified with the church 
in after years were the Blakes, Utters, Thomases, 
Heizers, Michners and Johnsons. 

Not far from 1855 the United Brethren Church 
located close by the Lewis saw-mill on the creek was 
erected, the organization having taken place some time 
previous. The minister organizing the society and 
for some time the preacher in charge was Rev. Mr. 
Shumway. Among the early members of the church 
were the Stephenses, Wilsons, and Cushners. Of the 
early ministers who preached to this people are re- 
membered Revs. John Morgan and Alexander Carroll. 

What is known as the old Webb burying-ground, 
located on high ground on the creek west of the old 
Webb homestead, heretofore described, had its origin 
in the family burying-ground of the Judge, after 
whose death the land fell to a son. Forest, who 
deeded it to the county for a public place of burial. 
This was not in use quite as early as the old Frank- 
lin j^ard. The first interment here was an infant 
grandchild of Judge Webb. In this yard rest the 
remains of many of the pioneers of the vicinity: 

Michael Hackleman, died in 1869, aged eighty 
years; Edward Webb, died in 1851, aged eighty-one 
years; Reuben Conner, died in 1847, aged sixty-nine 
years; Nancy Conner, died in 1870, aged eighty-six 
years; Sarah Gaines, died in 1858, aged seventy-six 
years; Allen Crisler, died in 1837, aged fifty-eight 
years; Frances Crisler, died in 1846, aged sixty-two 
years; Joshua Crigler, died in 1859, aged seventy- 
five years; Sallie Crigler, died in 1839, aged forty- 
five years. 

HAMLETS. 

Columbia, situated north of the center of the 
township, was laid out on the lands of Isaac Limpus 
and James Buchanan; that part north of Main 
Street and the State road, on the land of the latter, 
and that south of Main Street, on the land of Isaac 
Limpus. The surveying was done by Isaac Fowler, 
June 15, 1832. In 1849 an addition to the place 
was made by one Martin. Isaac Limpus is thought 
to have built the first frame house in the hamlet, and 
in it he kept a place of entertainment, or inn. He 
was licensed by the Commissioners to keep a grocery 
and retail liquor in 1834. The year previous John 
Hardy was granted a license as a merchant, which was 
renewed for several years. Later, George Scott, 
David Smith and George Logan sold goods here. 

In 1843 the hamlet had two general stores kept 
by George Scott and Horatio Mason and John 
Hardy; one wagon -making shop, by Louis Black; one 
general repair shop, by D. O' Darby; one shoe shop 
and postoffice combined, by William Wherrett, and 
one blacksmith shop, by Joseph Little. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



199 



The estimated population of the place at this time 
is fifty, and it consists of a postoffice, one repair 
wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, and a church (two 
church buildings). 

Alpine, situated in the eastern part of the town- 
ship, is a station on the Whitewater Valley Railroad, 
and consists of a few dwelling houses, one store, one 
saw-mill, one grist-mill, a cooper-shop, and a black- 
smith shop. 

The hamlet of NuUtown is located on the same 
railroad, nearly two miles north of Alpine. It is 
also a station on the railroad, and a postoffice is lo- 
cated here. The place has two stores. 

Both Alpine and NuUtown owe their origin to the 
mills erected there. 



HALF- CENTURY CITIZENS. 

The following-named citizens were residing in the 
township in 1879, and had been residents of the 
county tifty years or upward: 

John A. White and wife, James Limpus and wife, 
T. J. Crisler and wife, John Limpus, Mary Conner, 
Margaret Limpus, Anna Reed, John Conner, William 
Perkins, Thomas Reed, William Mcllwain, James 
Cotton, Hiram Custer and wife, Levi Pike and wife, 
Charles Stephens, Julia Conner, Forrest Webb and 
wife, George Clam and wife, Charles Hardy and wife, 
Jack Stephens and wife, Jemima Heizer, Lydia Heizer, 
George Utter, Jemima Northern, Delilah Hall, G. 
W. Eddy, Jane Eddy, Otho McCarty. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



BOUNDARIES AND ORGANIZATION— LAND ENTRIES— EARLY SETTLEMENT— INDDSTRIES—EARLY SCHOOLS— THE OLD 
ROCK AT POPLAR RIDGE— CHURCHES AND GRAVE-YARDS—EVERTON— HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP occupies the southeastern 
corner of the county. It is bounded on the north 
by Connersville and Jennings Townships, on the 
east by Union County, on the south by Franklin 
County, and on the west by the West Fork of White- 
water River. Originally, its territory belonged to 
Columbia Township, and in August, 1820, it was 
ordered by the Commissioners that all that part of 
Colnmbia Township, as it is now bounded and 
recorded, which lies east of West Fork of Whitewater, 
be stricken off of said township, under the name and 
title of Jackson Township. In size it was then six 
sections less than at present. These six sections con- 
stituted the strip of territory described in the general 
county history (extending two miles east and west, 
and three north and south, across the eastern portion 
of the township) as acquired from Franklin County 
by an Act of the General Assembly, approved in Jan- 
uary, 1826. This strip of country was, by the Com- 
missioners, in March of that year, attached to the 
township under consideration. The boundaries of the 
township have since remained unchanged. The face 
of the country is rolling and in localities some broken. 
It is watered by West Fork, Wilsons', Duck, Eli's and 
Bear Creeks. In 1880 the population of the town- 
ship as shown by the United States census was 982. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The lands disposed of by the Government with 



the date of sale and the purchasers' names are set 
forth in the following list: 

Township 13 north. Range 13 east. 

Southeast quarter of Section 27, October 28, 
1811, to Eli Stringer. 

Southwest quarter of Section 27, October 28, 
1811, to Thomas Henderson. 

Northeast quarter of Section 27, November 19, 
1811, to Daniel George and James Mallach. 

Northeast quarter of Section 33, November 1, 

1811, to John Salyer. 

North half of Section 34, October 28, 1811, to 
Thomas Henderson. 

Northwest quarter of Section 20, December 28, 

1812, to George Monroe. 

Southeast quarter of Section 20, November 4, 
1812, to John Richardson. 

Southeast quarter of Section 21, March 27, 1812, 
to John Morrow. 

Southwest quarter of Section 21, January 31, 
1812, to Eli Lee. 

Southwest quarter of Section 34, December 4, 

1812, to James and John Walters. 

Northwest quarter of Section 20, July 16, 1813, 
to Obediah Estis. 

Southeast quarter of Section 28, July 24, 1813, 
to Samuel Wallace and Archibald Morrow. 

Southwest quarter of Section 28, November 5, 

1813, to John Pollard. 



200 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Southwest quarter of Section 35, November 16, 

1813, to Ebenezer Smith. 

Northwest quarter of Section 33, March 10, 1813, 
to James Craig. 

Northwest quarter of Section 21, August 24, 1813, 
to William Adams. 

Northeast quarter of Section 32, June 21, 1813, 
to Hugh Abernathy. 

Southwest quarter of Section 32, October 10, 1814, 
to William Rish. 

Southwest quarter of Section 26, June 10, 1814, 
to Robert F. Taylor. 

Northwest quarter of Section 27, February 15, 

1814, to Thomas Stockdale. 

Northwest quarter of Section 28, October 25, 1814, 
to Sarah Lee. 

Southeast quarter of Section 33, June 20, 1814, 
to Solomon Shepheard. 

Southwest quarter of Section 23, October 10, 
1814, to Thomas Rish. 

Northwest quarter of Section 35, March 19, 1814, 
to John Mcllwain. 

Southeast quarter of Section 35, December 5, 1814, 
to Edward Caring. 

Northeast quarter of Section 21, December 16i 
1814, to Thomas Garrin. 

Northeast quarter of Section 22, August 19, 1814, 
to David Fallen. 

Northwest quarter of Section 22, April 2, 1814, 
to Elijah Corbin. 

Southwest quarter of Section 22, July 5, 1814, to 
Thomas Stockdale. 

Northeast quarter of Section 23, December 10, 

1814, to William Beckett. 

Southwest quarter of Section 23, October 24,1814, 
to Isaac M. Johnson. 

Northeast quarter of Section 29, July 18, 1814, to 
Solomon Shepheard. 

Northeast quarter of Section 25, July 25, 1814, to 
Jacob Bauokman. 

Northwest quarter of Section 19, August 22, 1814, 
to Elisha Stout and John Maple. 

Southeast quarter of Section 8, April 2, 1814, to 
James Newland. 

Northeast quarter of Section 17, August 25, 1815, 
to Levi Cambridge. 

Northwest quarter of Section 17, August 21, 1815, 
to Zachariah Cookney. 

Northeast quarter of Section 19, December 27, 

1815, to John Williams. 

Southwest quarter of Section 19, August 28, 1815, 
to Thomas Toner. 

Northeast quarter of Section 7, October 20, 1815, 
to Benjamin White. 

Northeast quarterof Section 8, December 15,1815, 
to David Ferree. 



Southwest quarter of Section 20, November 27, 
1815, to William Hopkins. 

Southeast quarter of Section 22, November 13, 
1815, to James Morrow. 

Southeast quarter of Section 23, June 6, 1815, to 
John Fisher. 

Southwest quarter of Section 29, December 28, 
1815, to Samuel Logan. 

Southeast quarter of Section 34, December 4, 
1815, to Ebenezer Smith. 

Northeast quarter of Section 35, May 5, 1815, to 
Alexander Sims. 

Southeast quarter of Section 26, August 11, 1815, 
to Lyman Grist. 

Northeast quarter of Section 31, November 11, 

1815, to Susanna Teagarden. 

Eighty acres of Section 30, November 22, 1816, 
to Edward Simmonds. 

Southeast quarter of Section 30, October 17, 1816, 
to Joel Scott. 

Southeast quarterof Section 29, January 13, 1816, 
to Thomas Logan. 

Southeast quarter of Section 17, September 11, 

1816, to Levi Plummer. 

Northeast quarter of Section 18, December 10, 
1816, to Samuel Harlan. 

Northwest quarter of Section 18, September 11, 
1816, to Moses Ladd. 

Southeast quarter of Section 18, September 11, 
1816, to B. Plummer and N. Ladd. 

Southwest quarter of Section 18, October 28, 1816, 
to John Plummer. 

Southeast quarter of Section 19, November 11, 
1816, to Samuel Walker. 

Northwest quarter of Section 7, February 16,1816, 
to Benjamin White. 

Southeast quarter of Section 7, November 2, 1816, 
to Samuel Harlan. 

Southwest quarter of Section 7, June 18, 1816, to 
Nicholas Pumphrey. 

Northwest quarter of Section 8, April 2, 1816, to 
Morgan Vardiman. 

Southwest quarter of Section 8, November 2, 1816, 
to Samuel Harlan. 

Southwest quarter of Section 7, January 6, 1817, 
to Levi Plummer. 

Northwest quarter of Section 23, March 28, 1817, 
to John Fisher. 

West half of the northeast quarter of Section 26, 
April 8, 1817, to Ronand and Amanda Clarke. 

Southwest quarter of Section 30, August 8, 1817, 
to Calvin Kneisley. 

Southwest quarter of Section 31, September 15, 
1818, to John Troth. 

West half of the northeast quarter of Section 30, 
January 15, 1818, to Blackly Shoemaker. 






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c^^t^ ^y 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



203 



East half of the northwest quarter of Section 29, 
October 6, 1818, to Edward McKeen. 

Northeast quarter of Section 28, by Charles and 
James Salyers and John Starluch, February 21, 1821, 
and September 16, 1825, respectively. 

Eighty acres in the northwest quarter of Section 
29, spring and fall of 1832, to Jesse "Ward. 

West half of the northwest quarter of Section 30, 
January 19, 1831, to E. Walker. 

East half of the northeast quarter of Section 26, 
October 17, 1827, to S. Stanton. 

East half of the northeast quarter of Section 30, 
November 13, 1834, to Isaac T. Riggs. 

Three- fourths of Section 31 was entered in small 
tracts from 1821 to 1837, by Joseph Whitelock, 
Stephen Lee, John H. Carmichael, Michael Null and 
Enoch Youngs. 

About one-half of Section 32 was entered in the 
same way in 1836. 

Township 13 north. Range 12 east. 

Southwest quarter of Section 12, October 22, 1811, 
to Samuel Fallen. 

Northwest quarter of Section 12, October 22,1811, 
to Moses Baker. 

Northeast quarter Section 14, October 28, 1811, to 
Thomas Gilliam. 

Southeast quarter Section 14, October 22, 1811, to 
John Eagan. 

Northeast quarter Section 11, October 28, 1811, to 
William Willson. 

Southeast quarter Section 11, December 10, 1811, 
to John Vincent. 

Southeast quarter Section 23, December 12, 1811, 
to Daniel Green. 

Southwest quarter Section 35, October 28, 1811, to 
Jacob Burnett. 

Northwest quarter Section 13, March 21, 1812, to 
William Vardiman. 

Northeast quarter Section 23, January 13, 1812, 
to William Helm. 

Southeast half of the southwest quarter Section 
23, January 13, 1812, to Gabriel Ginn. 

Northeast quarter Section 13, August 5, 1813, to 
James Brownlee. 

Southeast quarter Section 24, October 14, 1813, to 
John Baker. 

Southwest quarter Section 24, July, 1814, to Jacob 
Blackligge. 

Northwest quarter Section 25, December 16, 1814, 
to Morgan Vardiman. 

Northeast quarter Section 26, December 16, 1814, 
to Daniel Green. 

Southeast quarter Section 12, May 28, 1814, to 
George Shaeffer. 

Southeast quarter Section 13, December 10, 1814, 
to John Eagan. 



Southwest quarter Section 13, August 9, 1814, to 
John Julian. 

Northeast quarter Section 25, May 26, 1815, to 
Amos Isher. 

Southeast quarter Section 25, December 4, 1815, to 
John Lewis. 

Northeast quarter Section 12, January 8, 1816, to 
Samuel Fallen. 

Southwest quarter Section 26, November 4, 1816, 
to Edward Johnson. 

Northwest quarter Section 24, May 18, 1816, to 
Christopher Ladd. 

Northeast quarter Section 24, August 31, 1816, to 
Christopher Ladd. 

The southwest quarter Section 25 was entered in 
three tracts by John McCabe and Greenbury Stitte, 
the former in 1821 and 1832, and the latter in 1837. 

Section 26 (except the northeast quarter) was not 
entered until the fall and winter of 1831, by James 
Handley, Thomas J. Crisler, John McCabe, and Will- 
iam Wberrett. 

Section 35 (excepting the southwest quarter) was 
entered in small tracts from 1824 to 1834 by James 
Couwell, O. Gordon, E. Walker and Jeremiah Con- 
well. 

Section 36 was entered from 1817 to 1836, by San- 
ford Keller (west half of the northwest quarter, June 
14, 1817), Charles Melon (1821 and 1828), Joseph 
Crowley, Michael Null and James Conwell. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Many of the above-named purchasers of lands 
were actual settlers, and the dates of purchase fix 
about the period of their emigration thereto. It 
will be observed that the first lands entered were in 
the fall of the year 1811, and that such with some ex- 
ception were along the West Fork of Whitewater 
River, in Sections 11, 12, 14, 23 and 25, Township 13 
north. Range 12 east, the exceptions being in Sections 
27, 33 and 34, Township 13 north. Range 13 east, lying 
in the southeastern part of the township. The earliest 
settlements were made chielly by emigrants from the 
Southern States, South Carolina and Kentucky prob- 
ably supplying the greater number. 

Of those entering lands in 1811, Daniel Green was 
from one of the Carolinas, Charles and James Salyers 
from South Carolina, and John Eagan from Freder- 
ick County, Md., and Gabriel Ginn from Kentucky, 
all of whom were residents of their several tracts at 
about the date given. Charles Salyers was for eight 
years one of the County Commissioners, and Gabriel 
Ginn served as County Clerk and also as Sheriff for 
a number of years. It is said that Daniel Green, 
while prospecting for land further south in what is 
now Franklin County, in the year 1809, was attracted 
by the sound of a cow-bell and upon following it he 



204 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



came to a cabin occupied by John Eagan and family, 
situated along the river in what is now the township 
under consideration, some little distance south of the 
bridge over the river at Nulltown. Mr. Eagan 
was an Irishman. This Eagan settlement was the 
earliest in the township of which we have been able 
to get any knowledge, and it is with little doubt, if 
any, the first permanent settlement made in the town- 
ship. Mr. Green settled in the township in the spring 
of 1812. 

Daniel Moore, a native of Bracken County, Ky., is 
said to have come to the "Twelve-Mile Purchase" in 
1809, and after spending one winter in Brookville, in 
March, 1810, to have settled in Jackson Township, 
and there spent his life, dying in 1882. 

In 1812 Joel Scott from South Carolina and 
James Craig from Virginia made their settlement. 

About this time came the Pumphreys and Benches 
from Maryland. 

In the fall of 1813 (October 5) several families 
from the same neighborhood in Pendleton District, 
S. C. , and all related, emigrated and settled on lands 
in the southeastern part of the township. There were 
Ebenezer Smith, George Stanley, Simon Grist, James 
Waters and son John Waters, all men of families. 
The Waterses had been to the vicinity in 1812 and then 
made their purchase, but returned and all, as just 
stated, made the journey together, which consumed 
about one month, coming by wagons. It is believed 
by the descendants of some of these families that on 
their arrival there were no residents south and east 
of Everton to what are now the Union and Franklin 
County lines. That section was then very heavily 
timbered, the forests abounding in much line poplar. 

Hanson Steele and John Mcllwain, related, emi- 
grated from Abbeyville District, S. C, in 1813, and 
either one or both stopped one season in the vicinity 
of Fairfield, Franklin County, where one crop was 
raised; then they settled on laud above designated. 

Robert T. and David Taylor, brothers, came from 
Laurens District, S. C, about 1814, and settled in 
the vicinity of the other South Carolinans. 

John Jamison, from Mason County Ky., settled on 
his possessions in 1814 or 1815. He carried on a 
tan-yard for many years. His death occurred in 1851. 

William Beckett, a native of Ireland, emigrated 
to the township in 1814, coming from Butler County, 
Ohio. 

James Morrow, from North Carolina, and John 
Milliner, from Bracken County, Ky., effected settle- 
ments here ia 1815. 

Samuel Logan and Alexander Sims were from 
Abbeyville District, S. C, and Elijah Corbin was 
from Bracken County, Ky., though born in Virginia, 
and settled in the township in 1813. 



The year following came John Williams from 
Pulaski County, Ky. , and settled upon land now occu- 
pied by his venerable son. Rev. Elisha Williams. 

John Baker, of the same neighborhood, was from 
Kentucky. 

Leonard Lewis in 1815 settled in Franklin County, 
coming from the State of Kentucky, and two years 
later settled on Bear Creek on the farm where his son 
Enoch now resides. 

Jonathan Wright emigi-ated from Maryland to 
Eli's Creek in 1818. 

William Arnett from Virginia and C. Harrell from 
Kentucky settled in the township about 1819. 

Joel Belk from South Carolina settled in the 
vicinity of Fairfield in Franklin County in 1810, and 
some years subsequent removed to a tract of land 
some two and a half miles southeast of Everton. 

Jesse Ward and family from Bracken County, Ky., 
settled in the vicinity of Eli's Creek about 1822 or 
1823, and subsequently entered the land on Bear 
Creek heretofore referred to. He was the father of 
Gen. Durbin Ward, of Ohio, and Alfred Ward, a 
promising young lawyer who settled at Brookville 
and died many years ago; and also of Maj. Augustus 
Ward, who left Miami University and went into the 
Union Army before he was seventeen years old and 
rose to be Major at twenty. He afterward studied 
law at Columbian College, Washington, D. C, and 
after admission was appointed clerk in the office of 
Hon. William M. Everts, then Attorney-General of 
the United States. From there he was appointed 
Assistant United States Attorney at Cincinnati, and 
then elected to the Ohio Legislature from that city in 
1869, and died a member of that body in 1871. 
Both parents passed the remainder of their lives in 
the township, and have long since been called to their 
reward. 

James Kerr, a native of the County of Antrim, 
Ireland, settled in Abbeyville District, S. C, in 1800 
and in 1822 removed to Indiana and in 1824 to the 
vicinity of Everton, where he died in 1873. 

In about 1823 John Lambert from Ohio settled 
at Everton. He served in the war of 1812, and his 
wife Nancy, who died at the age of ninety-five years, 
was reared among the frontier scenes of early Ken- 
tucky, though by birth a Pennsylvanian. 

Robert Hood, still a resident of the township, was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1790, removed to Kentucky 
in 1807, served in the war of 1812, and was at the 
memorable battle of the Thames River, and there 
received a wound in one of his limbs. In 1819 he 
was married and removed to this county. 

Besides those noted under the above head as act- 
ual settlers the following named had become residents 
of the township prior to 1826: Noble Ladd, Sr., 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



205 



William Kobles, Thomas Waters, Edward McClure, 
Simon and Ebenezer Grise, Michael Bash, Eli Lam- 
bert, William C. Jones, Nathan Hulse, David Port- 
lock, Constantine Ladd, Barrack Plummer, David 
Moore, David Smith, Patrick Carmichle, Joel Hol- 
lingswortb, William Hortoy, John Smith, Peter Coon, 
John Richards, Michael F. Miller, George Shelocke, 
Levi Rench, Presley Silvey, Andrew Brock, Stephen 
Lee, Stephen Moore, Richard Morrow, Thomas Budd, 
Archibald Cook, John Jassap, Lewis G. Ray, John 
Lee, William Gilmore, David Ferree, Thomas Logan, 
Charles Wise, John Plummer, Philip Hinneman, 
William B. Adams, Abraham Whitelock, Michael Law, 
Daniel Fox, John Estis, Thomas Craig, Robert White, 
Benjamin White, Andrew Wood, Amos Milliner, 
William Ferree, Daniel Gorman, Charles Malone, 
Moses Carroll, Lot Pumphrey, Noah Pumphrey, Mor- 
gan Rench, James Crawley, Isaac Miller. 

INDUSTRIES. 

During the period in which copper stills were in 
nse, such are remembered as being in operation on the 
farms of John and Charles Salyers, on the John 
Baker farm, and on the William Arnett place. 

John Jemison began tanning soon after his arrival, 
which business he carried on for probably a quarter 
of a century. In the Beckett neighborhood William 
Evans operated a tannery in an early day. Eli's 
Creek was a great mill stream in an early day. The 
first grist mill of the township was erected on the 
site of the present Elisha Cockefair mill on that stream 
in the year 1816, by Dr. Johnson. From the Doctor 
the site is believed to have passed into the hands of 
Jonathan Wright, who, some years subsequently, 
erected what is known as the Cockefair mill. In 
1818 Jonathan Wright built the first saw-mill in the 
eastern part of the township. This stood about a half 
mile east of the grist-mill, and was on the line sepa- 
rating the counties of Fayette and Union. The Cocke- 
fair mill has been in that name ever since it passed 
from the hands of Mr. Wright to Elisha Cockefair, 
Sr. , which was many years ago. 

Between the grist and saw-mill Zacheus Stanton 
biiilt a carding-machine, and in connection with it 
had a hominy mill, both of which, not far from the 
year 1848, were sold to Elisha Cockefair, Sr. , who 
converted them into a looking-glass factory, which 
was in operation for several years. 

Not far from 1846 Wilson Adams built a saw-mill 
and pump factory about half a mile above the grist- 
mill, which has ever since been carried on in the 
Adams name. This has been quite an enterprise, and 
an extensive business in the pump line has been done. 

Sanford Keeler built a grist-mill very early 
on Bear Creek about a mile from its mouth. It 



was subsequently operated by Rev. Joseph Williams 
and by John Lambert. Some distance north of 
this mill was built a saw-mill by Charles Malone, 
and was owned later by James Conwell. Some 
time after this fell into disuse, and, perhaps, not 
far from 1842, another saw-mill was built on the 
South Fork of Bear Creek by E. R. Lake, who subse- 
quently sold it to Wilson Adams, who built the second 
pump establishment in the township. Mr. Adams 
also put up a pair of buhrs, and had a little corn- 
cracker in connection with it. 

On the West Fork of Whitewater, some two miles 
north of the mouth of Boar Creek, was the Morgan 
Vardiman grist-mill, which was built quite early. It 
was in operation in 1829. 

EARLY SCHOOLS. 

Among the first built schoolhouses and cabins in 
which school was taught in the township may be 
mentioned one that stood northeast of Everton in 
Section 21. Here John Lee is thought to have taught 
a three months' school prior to 1817. Andrew Lewis 
and Lot Green are also remembered as teachers in 
this house. 

The next schoolhouse for this settlement was built 
in Section 26, Township 13, Range 13, on the Obe- 
diah Estis land. Lot Green is thought to have con- 
ducted the first school in this building. In the old 
log meeting-house that stood at the grave-yard on 
Poplar Ridge, and for a number of years served the 
Friends as their place of worship, school was some- 
times held. One Thomas O'Brien, an Irishman of 
considerable learning, taught quite a period in the 
schools of this settlement, and among his pupils 
were the Wards, the Wrights, the Truslers, the Beck- 
etts, the Stantons, and many others, some of whom 
became distinguished in both State and national 
affairs. 

In 1816 or 1817 a school was taught in a vacated 
cabin that stood about one mile south of the present 
residence of jRev. Elisha Williams in Section 19 by 
David Sloan. Soon after this a regular log school- 
house was built about one mile further south, in which 
the first teacher was Joseph Moore; William Silvey 
also taught in this house. 

About 1822 a log schoolhouse was built in Sec- 
tion 24, between two and three miles west of Ever- 
ton. Robert Cathers, Robert Willis and William 
Eskew were early teachers here. A little later an- 
other schoolhouse was built in Section 30 on the 
north fork of Bear Creek, in which for a time John 
Gunn was the teacher. 

In 1827 or 1828 school was taught in a cabin 
which had been previously occupied as a dwelling, 
that stood in Section 12 in the northwestern part of 



206 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



the township, by Travis Silvey. About this time a 
rude round-log schoolhouse was standing just east of 
Mount Zion meeting-house constructed of beech 
timber. This school was quite large, being attended 
by scholars coming from miles around. John Barnes 
was the teacher about the year 1829, and is remem- 
bered as having been "barred out." The boys after 
being satisfied that he could not make an entrance, 
and Barnes himself being of that mind after makincr 
several tremendous ofiforts with a large timber which 
was used as a battering-ram, agreed upon a com- 
promise suggested by a writing the boys slipped 
through to the efieet that Daddy Baker, who lived 
close by, had a good store of winter apples and that 
if going for a bushel was any object the barricade 
would be removed. Suffice it by saying that the apples 
were soon forth-comin?. 

o 
THE OLD ROOK AT "pOPLAR RIDGE." 

• On a beautiful afternoon in October, 1883, as the 
writer was strolling through the woods on "Poplar 
Eidge" drinking" in the beauties of nature through 
the mellow light of the hazy autumnal sun, there met 
his eyes a large irregular stone lying in a gulley at 
the very brink of a murmuring stream, and over- 
shadowed by the majestic oak and towering ash. 
Here it lay, stern rock of a sterner age, half imbedded 
in the accumulations of the earth of centurie.s. Upon 
inspecting it closely we observed the figures 1838, 
which excited our curiosity and led to an investiga- 
tion and later on to a soliloquy. Suffice it to say 
that upon tearing from its surface the clinging moss 
and removing the earth from its sides and base as 
best we were able, the following inscription was 
revealed: 

* Wright 

Jacob T. Wright 

Isaac W^right 

Jesse D. Ward 

Jesse Cook 
Stoci discant ut Amici hie Convinciebant. 
1838. 
It occurred to our mind that formerly, and at the 
time of the execution of this work, this monument, 
dedicated to the ties of friendship and the associations 
of schoolboy days clustering around the old "Quaker 
log meeting and schoolhouse" that stood a few 
hundred yards to the south, had occupied a position 
on the apex of the precipice some twenty-five or more 
feet above, and had either at the hands of mischiev- 
ous boys, or by the gradual and constant action of 
nature, been thrown to the gorge beneath, and since 
been 8ufi"ered to remain with its face to the earth, its 

•The earth could not be removed sufficiently to enable us to get the giren 
name. It ia possible that other names were still above the first given, but it 
WBA impracticable for fuither removal of the earth. 



message, freighted with the warm friendships and love 
of youth so beautifully wrought by the chisel of an 
artist, permitted to be half hidden from the eyes of 
hundreds to whom the memory of some of the partic- 
ipants of the scene is sacred and dear, as they have 
long since been laid away in the church yard. Let 
the old stone which speaks volumes be reared again, 
that generations yet unborn may scan the deeds of 
their forefathers, gather inspiration therefrom, and 
follow after in their illustrious careers! 

Our old friend, Gen. Durbin Ward, of Ohio, to 
whom this little tribute is more especially paid, was 
a participant of the scenes we describe. Inasmuch as 
the boyhood of this distinguished lawyer and soldier 
was passed in the vicinity of the rock we have pic- 
tured, and the bones of his ancestors rest in the vil- 
lage grave-yard, and here and there still remain a 
playmate of the bygone years, we deem it in place to 
briefly review his career. 

Born at Augusta, Ky., February 11, 1819, of 
English and Welsh extraction. Gen. Ward with his 
parents, Jesse Ward and^Rebecca (Patterson) Ward, 
removed to Fayette County, Ind., when about four 
years of age. The General most likely inherited his 
soldiery instinctsj'patriotism and love of country. His 
father and grandfather were both in the war of 1812, 
and his mother was a daughter of a soldier of the 
same war. He was named in honor of Rev. Dr. 
Durbin, the distinguished Methodist preacher, who 
was a schoolmate of his mother's. His early oppor- 
tunities for education were limited, and hard strug- 
gles did he pass through ere he had left the hills of 
Fayette County, but such was his thirst for knowl- 
edge that he became an insatiable reader, and when 
he was eighteen years old he had read every book he 
had ever seen. He has never lost his studious hab- 
its, and when at home he is most frequently found 
in his library, which contains the largest and best 
selected collection of books of the private libraries of 
Lebanon. After spending two years at Miami Uni- 
versity, where he supported himself by his own exer- 
tions and teaching school for a short time in Warren 
County, he studied law at Lebanon, Ohio, first under 
the direction of Judge Smith and afterward of Gov. 
Corwin, he commenced the practice at Lebanon, and 
was for three years a partner of Gov. Corwin. In 
18-45 he became Prosecuting Attorney and served six 
years. In 1852-53 he was a representative from 
Warren County in the first Legislature held under the 
present constitution of Ohio. Retiring from this 
office he devoted himself to the practice of the law, 
and established an office at Cincinnati, where he has 
had a lucrative practice. He retained his residence at 
Lebanon. About 1855 Mr. W^ard abandoned the 
Whig party, which was then near its dissolution. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



207 



Since that time he has adhered to the Democratic 
party. He was the Democratic candidate for Congress 
in 1856, and for Attorney-General in 1858, but was 
defeated. In i860 he supported Douglas for Presi- 
dent. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he 
was, as is claimed for him, the first man in his Con- 
gressional district to volunteer; declining a Captaincy, 
he enlisted as a private. He was Major of the 
Seventeenth Ohio, and took a part in the battles of 
Mill Springs, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, 
Hoover's Gap and Chickamauga. At the last named 
fight he was shot through the body, and his left arm 
was disabled for life, and he carried it in a sling 
through the Atlanta Campaign. Having passed 
through the grades of Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, 
in November, 1865, he was brevetted Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, "for gallant and meritorious conduct at the bat- 
tle of Chickamauga." In 1866 he was appointed by 
President Johnson United States District Attorney 
for the Southern District of Ohio, and in 1870 he 
was elected Senator in the General Assembly. Since 
that time he has held no office, and devoted himself 
to the practice of the law. Gen. Ward has delivered 
many orations and addresses, and he ranks among the 
most eloquent campaign orators of Ohio. A volume 
of his speeches is nearly ready for the press. It is 
only justice to the General to state that he has long 
lived in a Congressional district that has hopelessly 
been, in the lineof his politics, in the minority, or he 
would have been heard from in Congress years ago. 
He has several times made the race, but as often suf- 
fered defeat. At the Democratic Convention a year 
ago, held in the city of Columbus, he was a formida- 
ble opponent of Judge Hoadly for the nomination 
for Governor, and was unquestionably the people's 
choice for that high office, yet on the very eve of vic- 
tory he lost the nomination. He was before the last 
Legislature of his State a candidate for the office of 
United States Senator, but in the contest fell with 
Thurman and Pendleton. 

CHURCHES AND GRAVE-TARDS. 

The largest buiying-ground in the township is the 
one at Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, and the 
first interment made therein was the body of Father 
Brock. This information comes from the Rev. Elisha 
Williams, who was born in 1802, and with his father 
settled in that vicinity in 1816. 

Among the early settlers of that vicinity who were 
Methodists in their religious views and were members 
of the class or society that worshiped at Mt. Zion 
Church, were John Plummer and wife, Noble Ladd 
and wife, Michael Bash and wife, John Williams and 
wife, David Williams and wife, Miles H. Larimore 
and wife, the Eskews and the Silveys. Mr. Plummer 



deeded two acres of ground where the grave-yard and 
church now are and in the course of some years when 
it became necessary to extend the burying-ground not 
quite two acres more adjoining was deeded to the 
Trustees of the church by Basil Roberts. 

The first meeting-house was built of hewed logs 
when Mr. Williams was yet a boy, and stood on the 
site of the present frame structure known as Mt. 
Zion Church. The old meeting-house was heated by 
burning charcoal and was itself destroyed by tire 
some (ime subsequent to 1836 and replaced by the 
one now there, which was built by Alfred Shaw. 
Up to 1835 Mt. Zion was an appointment on what 
was known as the Whitewater Circuit, which at one 
time embraced some twenty odd preaching places. 

Among the aged whose remains were here interred 
and whose graves are marked by tombstones are the 
following- named: Rev. Thomas Silvey, aged sixty 
years; Anna, his wife, eighty-three years; Miles H. 
Larimore, eighty-four years; Susan Larimore, sev- 
enty-four years; Moses Ladd, eighty-eight years; 
John Mcllwain, Sr., about eighty-three years; Sarah, 
his wife, about eighty-seven years; John McCabe, 
sixty years; Noble Ladd, eighty-one years; Betty, 
his wife, eighty-nine years; John Eagan, eighty 
years; John Campbell, eighty-five years; Mary, his 
wife, seventy- two years; William Lake, seventy-three 
years; Elijah Corbin, eighty-two years; Michael 
Bash, seventy-six years; John Williams, seventy-two 
years; George Talbott, seventy-three years; Susan, 
his wife, seventy-four years; Sarah Lewis, eighty- 
nine years; James Kerr, eighty-one years; Anna 
Adams, eighty years; Mary, wife of Philip Jones, 
eighty years; William Eskew, eighty years; David 
L. Williams, seventy-eight years; Nancy, his wife, 
eighty-seven years. 

The oldest grave marked by a tombstone is that 
of Nancy, consort of Thomas J. Larimore, who died 
February 16, 1831. 

In the early settlement of Fayette and Union 
Counties many of the pioneers of the latter were of 
the Friend or Quaker element, and established their 
meetings soon after effecting a settlement. Silver 
Creek monthly meeting (Union County) was estab- 
lished in 1817. What was known as Poplar Ridge 
meeting- hoiise was constructed of logs and stood at 
the little burying-ground still known by that name in 
the eastern part of the township (Section 23) and was 
both an established and preparative meeting in the 
early history of Fayette County, but was ' 'laid down" 
many years ago, and the building removed, which 
now stands on Eli's Creek, in Union County, and is 
occupied as a dwelling. Among the early resident 
ministers of the Silver Creek monthly meeting (of 
which Poplar Ridge constituted a part) were Susannah 



208 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



HoUingBworth, William Haughton and Rebecca and 
Sylvanus Tnlbert. 

The first person buried in this grave-yard is said 
to have been a young man from Ohio, named Ruff. 

What is known as the Ireland or Mcllwain grave- 
yard is just over the line (in Franklin) separating the 
two counties, but in it rest the remains of a number 
of the pioneers of southern and eastern Fayette 
County. The first interment here is said to have 
been the remains of Hugh E. , son of John Waters. 

For probably a quarter of a century preceding 
the late war of the Rebellion, there existed a Method- 
ist congregation which worshiped at a log meeting- 
house that occupied the ground upon which the 
Lutheran Church, in the northern part of the town- 
ship, is now built, which, though its light shone 
brightly for many years, went out in the manner of 
deaths and removals. The ground was donated by 
the few remaining Methodists shortly prior to 1863 
to the English Lutheran denomination, who com- 
pleted the present frame church building there in 
1865. The first congregation was styled the Union 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and among those early 
identified with the membership were Basil Roberts 
and wife, Isaac Updyke and wife, P. Silvey and wife, 
Nathan Aldridge and wife, George Talbot and wife, 
Noah, Amos and Nicholas Pumphrey and wives. 

Concerning the history of the present Union 
Evangelical Lutheran Church, the pastor (Rev. S. B. 
Hyman) in the fall of 1882 wrote: 

"As early as 1855 Rev. J. B. Oliver, then pastor of 
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, began to 
preach to a few scattered Lutherans in Jackson Town- 
ship, and preaching has been continued by Rev. O's 
successor at this point ever since. During the 
ministry of F. W. Keeler the present commodious 
and excellent building was erected, and received its 
name as above in accordance with the provision of 
the subscription. An organization was effected in 
October, 1864, with seven members. This seems to 
have been the most prosperous period of the church's 
existence, for the records show a gradual decline by 
deaths and removals frord that time to the present." 

The charge is now without a pastor. 

There is a burying-ground within the church- 
yard enclosure, but few interments seem to have been 
made therein, and almost isolated and alone stands 
a sandstone slab, revealing to the passer-by that he 
who sleepeth beneath the green mound was a Revo- 
lutionary patriot, and seemingly as, perhaps, at Val- 
ley Forge or at Yorktown he stood a lonely sentinel 
for the living, so stands the brown tombstone of the 
soldier for the dead at the church yard. The stone 
is inscribed to the memory of James Hamer, died 
July 5, 1837, aged seventy-three years. 

" Soldier, rest, thy warfare 's o'er." 



The Ireland Universalist Church, located in the 
southeastern part of the township, was organized in 
the schoolhouse of the same name in November, 1868, 
by Rev. M. G. Mitchell, of Abington, Ind. The first 
membership was composed of Milton Trusler, M. 
Annie Trusler, Laura J. Trusler, James and Emma 
Sims, John Reagor, Ada Smith, Thomas and Eliza- 
beth Curry, Elnora Taylor, Ebenezer Glenn, James 
and May Smith, some of whom came from the church 
at Fairfield. The first Trustees were Milton Trusler, 
James Smith and Thomas Curry, and under this oQic • 
iary was built, in 1871, the present neat frame church 
edifice now occupied by the society. It was dedicated 
on Sabbath, August 13, 1871, Rev. W. W. Curry 
preaching the dedicatory sermon. Rev. D. R. Bid- 
dlecome, of Richmond, also was present and officiated. 
The pastors of the church and in the order given have 
been Revs. M. G. Mitchel, J. B. Grandy, Frank 
Evans, W. S. Bacon, VV. C. Brooks, R. N. John, 
William Tucker, May T. Clark and H. A. Merrell. 
Among others who preached for the church for short 
periods have been Revs. Case, Crossly, Caatwell, 
Biddlecome and McLean. 

At Everton stands a brick church that was built by 
subscription raised in and about that neighborhood 
in 1844. Among those contributing largely were 
Elisha Cockefair, J. H. Bonham, James Smith, Aza- 
riah Beckett, R. N. Taylor, Alexander Cockefair, 
John Rigor, Mordacai Miller, David Taylor, Ezra 
Bonham and William Rigsby. We understand that 
it was not built for any particular denomination, but 
as a place for holding worship for all denominations, 
and as such has been so used. Universalism was 
quite strong at one time in that section, and perhaps 
more of the funds obtained for its construction came 
from those holding such belief, and the building, 
especially in its earlier history, was more frequently 
used by that society. Revs. Kaylor and Brooks were 
among the earlier ministers of the Universalist doc- 
trine who officiated in this building. The Methodists, 
not far from the same period, yet a little in advance, 
had constructed a frame building in the same village, 
which they used until both congregation and building 
had so weakened as to be abandoned. Probably a 
decade, or some longer ago, meetings without respect 
to denomination were held at the village, which 
resulted in the organization of a regular church soci- 
ety, which in the course of time became a Methodist 
congregation, and as such has been holding services 
in the brick house of worship. 

On the south fork of Bear Creek stands a little 
frame house of worship, known as the Palestine 
Church, which in denomination is United Brethren. 
The building was erected some ten or twelve years 
ago; services had for a period previous been held in 
the neighboring schoolhouse. Among the number 



HISTORY OP PAYETTE COUNTY. 



209 



constituting the early membership were some of the 
Lakes, Reeds, Wrights and Sher woods. The congre- 
gation is not strong. 

EVERTON. 

This village is situated east of the centre of the 
township on the road leading from Brookville to Con- 
nersville, distant about seven miles fi'om the latter 
point. It lies on the eastern half of Section 21, Town- 
ship 13, Range 13, which land was purchased of the 
Government by William Adams and Eli Lee, the 
former purchasing the northern half August 24, 1813, 
and the latter the southern half January 31, 1812. 
The oldest inhabitant fails to give any definite or satis- 
factory information as to the origin of the place, and 
as no plat seems to have been recorded prior to 1836, 
the reader is left to conjecture. Maria Haughton, 
December 23 of that year, acknowledged twelve lots 
addition to West Union (south of South Street). It 
is said that it originally was styled Lawstown or Laws- 
burg. Next it became known as West Union, and in 
March, 1856, the Commissioners of the county 
ordered ' ' that the name of the town of West Union 
be changed to that of Everton, which was the name 
of the postofiBce." 

From the beginning of the village as a place of 
business to 184:0, the Commissioners granted license 
to the following-named, to vend merchandise, keep 
tavern, sell liquor, or all: 

1828 — Thomas J. Larimore and Miles H. Lari- 
more, merchants. 

1829 — Maria Haughton, merchant; Thomas A. 
Thorn, tavern. 

1832 — Thomas A. Thorn, tavern and liquor; Will- 
iam Beckett and Robert Taylor, groceries and liquor. 

1834 — Isaac T. Riggs, tavern and liquor. 

1836 — Frederick A. Curtis, tavern and liquor. 

1838 — Hugh Morrow, tavern and liquor. 

Some of the above licenses were renewed for sev- 
eral consecutive years. 

January 20, 1841, the village was incorpor- 
ated and divided into five wards. William H. Evans 
was made President, and R. N. Taylor Village Clerk. 
According to the United States census of 1860, the 
place then numbered 239 souls, and a decade later the 
census gave it a population of but 149. 

ISnEPENnENCE DAY, 1836. 

Fourth of July, 1836, was observed by the citi- 
zens of the village and county by a large celebration 
held in a beautiful grove of timber near the village. 
The procession was formed at 10 o'clock A. M., under 
the superintendence of Capt. Thomas Waters, Mar- 
shal, and John Craig and Daniel Moore, Assistants. 



It marched to the grove, where the solemnities of the 
day commenced. The procession was headed by the 
following-named four venerable Revolutionary sol- 
diers: Messrs. Lowe, Logan, Benetield and Fordyce. 
These venerable patriots were escorted to the stand 
on reaching the grove by J. D. Thompson, the Presi 
dent of the day. A picture (nearly as large as life) 
of him who was " first in the hearts of his country- 
men" was carried in front, accompanied by the 
national banner, each borne by one of the Revolu- 
tionary soldiers; imjnediately after came the names 
of the States carried on elevated placards by young 
ladies in white dresses and ornamented exactly alike. 
At the grove the exercises were opened by prayer and 
remarks by William D. Hubbartt. Next was read 
the Declaration of Independence by John Ritchie; 
then was delivered an oration by William Cook. A 
big dinner was next in order, which was prepared by 
L. Stanley and J. M. Mcllwain, and at which the 
customary toasts were drank. There were about 
2,000 people present. 

Everton has now two stores, a postoffice, three 
blacksmith shops, a good hotel, one shop for wagon- 
making, one physician, one church, a schoolhouse 
(both good substantial buildings), one sawmill, and 
a population (estimated) of 200 people. 

Everton Lodge, No. 139, I. O. O. F., was institu- 
ted January 11, 1854, by Wilson T. Dale, and the 
following-named officers were elected and installed 
under the same date: 

James Elliott, N. G.; David H. Case, V. G.; John 
T. Williams, Secretary; William Williams, Treasurer. 
The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, 
January 18, 1854, there being ten charter members, 
which, excepting the officers above named, were: 
Alfred H. and Edward J. Thompson, Elijah Johnson, 
J. H. Debolt, I. L. Case and Robert T. Taylor. The 
Lodge has a neat hall which was erected in 1853, 
and dedicated October 19, 1854, the address being 
delivered by the late Hon. O. P. Morton, then G. M. 
Present membership over 100, officered as follows: 

William Johnson, N. G., Decatur Sprague, V. G., 
Theodore Grubb, R. S., W. E. Beckett, P. S., A. T. 
Beckett, Sr. , Treasurer. 

HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 

The following list contains the names of citizens 
of Jackson Township, who, in 1879, had resided in the 
county fifty years or upward: 

A. T. Beckett, Sr. ; Emily Beckett, Eliza Ross, 
James Grist, James Smith, Mary Smith, Elisha Har- 
rell, Samuel Henderson, James Steele, Sarah Steele, 
Isaac Morrow, Daniel Moore, Mary Moore, P. O. 
Scott, Mary Scott, Elisha Williams, Margaret Kerr, 
Nancy Lambert, E. A. Corbin, Elihu Crandle, Sarah 



210 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Crandle, David Veatch, Anna Veatch, William Lari- 
more, Jefferson Jamison, Archer Jemison, Nancy 
Eogers, Mrs. Veatch, George Hood, Susan Hood, 



Robert Hood, J. W. Ball, Alexander Cockefair, Rachel 
Cockefair, R. T. Taylor and wife, Lydia Thompson, 
Lucinda Backhouse, Samuel Grist, Retanus Corbin. 



OHAPTEE XXIII. 



WATERLOO TOWNSHIP. 

ORGANIZATION, BOUNDARIES AND DESCRIPTION— ORIGINAL LAND PURCHASERS— PIONEERS— SCHOOLS— WATERLOO 
VILLAGE— CHURCHES— SPRINGERVILLE— HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 



"TTTATERLOO TOWNSHIP was formed by the 
V V County Commissioners at their February ses- 
sion, 1821, of territory taken from Harrison and 
Brownsville Townships, as follows: "All that part of 
Harrison Township which lies east of West Fork of 
Whitewater River be attached to and form a part of 
a new township to consist also of all the balance of 
Brownsville Township which remains in Fayette 
County after the establishment of Union County, 
making the Union County line the eastern boundary 
of said new township, which new township shall be 
styled Waterloo Township." 

All of the territory of the township as it now is 
which lies east of a line parallel to the eastern bound- 
ary of Jennings Township was taken from Brownsville 
Township, and the rest from Harrison. In position 
it is the northeastern township of the county, Wayne 
County lying north of it, Qnion east, Jennings and 
Cohuersville Townships south, and the West Fork of 
Whitewater River west. It is a small subdivison 
having an area of a little more than sixteen square 
miles. The face of the country is rolling. Its prin- 
cipal streams are West Fork and Nolan's Fork; both 
are on its western border. Simpson's and Williams 
Creeks— small streams^drain portions of the land. 
The extreme southeastern portion of the township is 
crossed by the C. H. & I. R. R., and within its con- 
fines are situated the hamlet of Waterloo and the 
major part of the hamlet- of Springerville. 

ORIGINAL LAND PURCHASERS. 

Excepting the northern tier of sections — frac- 
tional 31 and whole 32, 33, 34 and 35, which are in 
Township 15 north, Range 13 east — the lands are in 
Township 14 north. Range 13 east. Of the former 
John Tharpe purchased the northeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 32, October 24, 1811, and on the same date Mat- 
thias Dawson purchased the southeast quarter of the 
same section. Thomas Sloo, Jr., purchased the 
southwest quarter of the same section October 28, 
1811. 



That portion of Section 31 east of the river was 
purchased by Samuel Grewell and John Hardin, 
November 11, 1811. 

Section 33 sold in 1813, Jonathan Higgins pur- 
chasing the northeast quarter September 6, 1813; 
James Parker the southeast quarter on the same date. 
Jonathan Coleman purchased the northwest quarter 
December 6, 1813, and December 22, 1813, Nathan 
Roysdon the southwest quarter. 

Sections 34 and 35 sold from 1814 to 1816. 

Abraham Vanmeter purchased the northwest, the 
southwest and the southeast quarters Section 34, the 
former two June 14, 1814, and the latter June 26, 
1816. 

James Sleeth purchased the remaining quarter of 
that section October 8, 1814. 

Robert Huffman purchased the northeast quarter 
of Section 35, November 17, 1814. 

Andrew Huffman purchased the northwest quar- 
ter December 3, 1814. 

Willis P. Miller purchased the southeast quarter 
October 2, 1815, and the southwest quarter was sold 
to John M. Layson October 30, 1815. 

The northern half of Section 5 sold to James 
Mclortyn October 28, 1811. 

The southeast quarter Section 18 to Archibald 
Reed, October 10, 1811. 

The northeast quarter of the same section to 
Zadoeh Smith, March 14, 1812. 

The northwest quarter Section 17 to Samuel Wil- 
son, March 19, 1812. 

The southeast quarter Section 15, August 2, 1813, 
to Thomas Dawson. 

The northeast quarter same section, July 31, 1813, 
to Henry Holland. 

The southwest quarter Section 17, August 13, 
1814, to Archibald Reed. 

The northeast quarter same section, August 8, 
1814, to James Sutton. 

The northwest quarter Section 15, August 23, 
1814, to James Runilley. 



M/y 





fjf 




HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



213 



The southeast quarter Section 10, January 5, 
1814, to Charles Collett. 

The northeast quarter same section, August 29, 

1814, to Isaac Dawson. 

The southwest quarter Section 8, March 11, 1814, 
to Ebenezer Heaton. 

The northwest quarter Section 8, June 22, 1814, 
to Samuel C. Vance. 

The northeast quarter Section 3, June 14, 1814, 
to Mordecai Morgan. 

The southeast quarter Section 7, June 28, 1814, to 
James Sutton, Jr. 

The northwest quarter same section and same 
date to Anthony Wiley. 

The southeast quarter Section 3, March 19, 1814, 
to Josiah Lambert. 

The southwest quarter Section 3, June 14, 1814^ 
to Abraham Vanmeter. 

The north half of Section 4, June 14, 1814, to 
Abraham Vanmeter. 

The southwest quarter Section 5, August 28, 1815, 
to George P. Terrence. 

The southeast quarter same section, October 29, 

1815, to same man. 

The southwest quarter Section 4, November 22, 
1815, to George P. Terrence and Lewis "Whiteman. 

The southeast quarter Section 4, June 23, 1815, 
to Mathias Dawson. 

The southwest quarter Section 2, November 2, 
1815, to James N. Chambers. 

The northwest quarter Section 2, September 29, 
1815, to James Montgomery. 

The northeast quarter Section 9, January 7, 1815, 
to Daniel Heaton. 

The southeast quarter Section 9, January 7, 1815, 
to Daniel Heaton. 

The southwest quarter Section 9, August 8, 1815, 
to James White. 

The northwest quarter Section 10, March 13, 
1815, to Benjamin Dungan. 

The southwest quarter Section 10, July 28, 1815, 
to Garis Haugham. 

The northwest quarter Section 11, October 27, 
1815, to Mathew Nico. 

The southeast quarter Section 11, December 18, 
1815, to John Riters. 

The southwest quarter Section 11, September 29, 
1815, to James Montgomery, 

The southeast quarter Section 8, May 6, 1815, to 
Aaron Haugham. 

The northeast quarter Section 8, May 6, 1815, to 
Aaron Haugham. 

The southwest quarter Section 15, August 29, 
1815, to Aaron Delelon. 



The southwest quarter Section 14, June 14, 1815, 
to William Heins. 

The northwest quarter Section 14, May 31, 1815, 
to Thomas Cooper. 

The northeast quarter Section 14, August 4, 

1815, to James Montgomery. 

The southeast quarter Section 14, December 16, 

1816, to Joshua Simpson. 

The southeast quarter Section 17, June 24, 1816, 
to Samuel Vance. 

The northwest quarter Section 9, October 14, 

1817, to William and John Dsmstor. 

The northeast quarter Section 11, November 4, 
1817, to Christopher Wamsley. 

The west half northeast quarter Section 2, March 
21, 1818, to Uriah Farlow. 

The east half southeast quarter Section 2, August 
27, 1819, to Robert Holland. 

The northeast quarter Section 2, January 31, 
1825, to Isaac Miliner. 



Matthias Dawson, whose name is connected with 
several of the original entries given above, was a 
native of Virginia, and when a small boy while 
engaged in plowing or otherwise tending corn was 
quietly captured by two Indians, and himself and 
the horse borne away. He remained in captivity 
with the Indians for many years, and in their journeys 
had been to this region of country when it was yet 
the red man's home and formed part of his posses- 
sions. The chief, or the one of authority under 
whose care and charge Mr. Dawson had been reared, 
it is said, promised him the land he subsequently 
had to purchase of the Government (in the vicinity 
of Waterloo). Mr. Dawson, after the battle of Fort 
Wayne, was released, and then settled on his posses- 
sions, which he improved, living here for a number of 
years, when he removed to St. Joseph County, this 
State, and there closed his life. 

Jonathan Higgins emigrated to his possessions 
here from Warren County, Ohio, coming about 1812. 

Nathan Roysdon, a native of North Carolina, 
removed to Indiana Territory in 1808, and not long 
thereafter settled on the south half of the southwest 
quarter of Section 33. He died in Waterloo Town- 
ship in 1832, aged sixty five years. He was the 
father of William Roysdon, deceased, and the grand- 
father of Stephen and John H., of this county. 

Jonathan Coleman, too, came from Ohio here. 

Samuel C. Vance was a Pennsylvanian. He im- 
proved the land he entered and lived and died upon it. 

The Hardins and Grewells were actual settlers 

and resided in the northern part of the township near 

the Wayne County line. 

II 



214 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



John Tharpe settled on his lands early. He emi- 
grated from the State of Kentucky, and was a brother 
to Moses, who resided west of West Fork, and in 

1813 had a child stolen by the Indians. 

The Heatons, Ebenezer and Daniel, were related 
and came here from Warren County, Ohio, settling 
upon their lands about the year 1814. Both im- 
proved their entries, Ebenezer passing his life here, 
while Daniel, after remaining here for years, removed 
further west, stopping for a period in Hamilton 
County, thence removed to Howard County, this State. 

Joseph White, the father of the venerable D. H. 
White, of the township, in the very beginning of 
the century started on foot from the State of Mary- 
land and journeyed to the county of Warren, Ohio, 
where he made a purchase of a sixty-acre tract of 
land, which he sold during the war of 1812, in which 
he had been drafted, to pay for a substitute. In the 
fall of 1814 he moved his family to the present site 
of the son above referred to, where his remaining 
years were passed. 

Abraham Vanmeter settled quite early, coming here 
from Ohio. John M. Layson was from Kentucky here. 
The Parlows were from Randolph County, N. C, and 
in 1807 settled some miles east in Union County, 
where a number of their descendants now reside. In 

1814 Benjamin Dungan and family settled in the 
township and entered land, and at the same time his 
brother Isaac settled on a part of the land. They 
were natives of Virginia. B. F. Dungan, now of 
this township, is a son of Benjamin. 

Archibald Reed was an early settler, coming from 
North Carolina. He removed to Connersville, where 
for many years he kept tavern, and died in that city. 
James Satton was from Ohio. James Rumilley (or 
Rumbley) was from the State of North Carolina- 
Subsequently he sold his entry to Erwin Boyd, who 
came from Kentucky, purchased land, returned, and 
while en route, bringing his family, was taken sick 
and died. The widow, Sarah Boyd, with several 
children, settled on the land in 1822. Mrs. D. H. 
White was a daughter. Joshua Simpson was a Caro- 
linan. 

Of those entering land, and whose date of settle- 
ment is not given under the above head, William Hiers, 
Henry Holland, John Sleeth, Abraham Vanmeter and 
James Rumilley all were residents of what is now the 
township in 1819. 

Daniel Fiant emigrated from Berks County, Penn., 
and about the year 1816 settled in what is now Union 
County, Ind. , coming some years subsequently to this 
couuty. His death occurred near Waterloo in 1866, 
aged eighty-six years. His wife Saloma died one 
year later in her eighty sixth year. 

Capt. James Hamilton, a native of Maryland, 



though subsequently a Virginian, was a resident of 
the township many years. In the war of 1812 he 
served in the Eighteenth Regiment, Heavy Artillery 
Regulars. He reared a large family, and his death 
occurred in 1878. 

John Hubbell, Sr. , a native of New Jersey, at the 
age of eight years, with parents, settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, and subsequently removed to Butler County, 
Ohio, where John was married, and in 1817 located in 
this township, where he resided during the remainder 
of his life. The father, John, Sr., was a Revolution- 
ary soldier. 

Daniel Skinner, a son of a Revolutionary soldier, 
a native of Pennsylvania, settled in the township in 
1819, upon land where a son, William R., now resides. 
He was chosen the first Justice of the Peace of the 
township, which office he held for sixteen years. 

Josiah Lambert, a native of Virginia, with family 
located at Columbia, while yet Ohio was a Territory; 
subsequently he removed to Warren County, Ohio, 
where Clayton, a son (now a resident of this town- 
ship), was born in 1802. In 1822 Clayton settled on 
the land where he now resides. 

Robert Holland, a native of Ireland, emigrated to 
America in 1816; subsequently located in Hamilton 
County, Ohio, and in 1822 settled in this township. 
His death occurred in 1857. He was the father of 
Robert and William A. Holland, now residents of the 
township. 

In 1821 William C. Jones, a native of Maryland, 
settled in this county. His death occurred in 1881. 

About the year 1820 Henry Henry, a native of 
Ireland, but from Pennsylvania here, settled in the 
township. His death occurred in 1859. 

In 1825 Daniel Kline, a native of Pennsylvania, 
with family settled in the township. He was the 
father of Benjamin Kline, of this county. 

About the year 1810 or 1811 William McGraw, a 
native of Bourbon County, Ky., settled on a portion 
of Section 33. He removed to Hancock County, this 
State, in 1858, and there died in 1874. 

In 1817 William Hart, a native of New York, 
though from Pennsylvania here, located in the town- 
ship. Later he assisted in clearing ofif the timber 
from the site of the city of Indianapolis. 

The following copy of a "poll-book of an election 
begun and held at the house of Joseph Ruby, in the 
township of Waterloo, in the county of Fayette, 
and State of Indiana, on the first Monday in August, 
A. D. 1825, for the purpose of electing a Governor 
and Lieutenant-Governor, one Senator for the coun- 
ties of Fayette and Union; one Representative, one 
Clerk, two Associate Judges, one Recorder, and one 
Coroner for the county of Fayette, at which time the 
following persons appeared, and voted, to- wit: "will 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



215 



serve to give the names of other pioneer settlers of 
the township: 

"Alfred Coleman, Joseph Dawson, Thomas Will- 
iams, Jonathan Williams, Jacob Vanraeter, John 
Brown, Benjamin Williams, Samuel Dawson, Joseph 
Camblin, Thomas Dawson, Nathaniel Blackburn, John 
Swazoy, Mathias Dawson, Charles Wandle, Jona- 
than Coleman, Daniel Skianer, William Port, Ma- 
thias Dawson, Isaac Stagg, Francis McGraw, Eli Daw- 
son, Abijah Helland, Steven Wandle, William Robin- 
son, Mathew Robinson, Henry Henry, Joseph White, 
William McGrraw, John Blackburn, James Beeks, 
Isaac Diingan, Benjamin Dungan, Cornelius Cook, 
Robert Holland, Elijah Dills, Zachariah Dungan, 
Aaron Haugham, Nathan Roysdon, Enoch Chambers, 
Hezekiah Bussey." 

SCHOOLS. 

In Section 10 there stood one of the earliest built 
schoolhouses in the township. It was erected in 
time for the winter school of 1815, and the first mas- 
ter in it is thought to have been Elijah Holland. A 
Mr. Taylor and Absalom Heaton taught in this house 
or in another erected a little later, in Section 17, prob- 
ably a mile southwest of the Daniel H. White farm. 
The latter two teachers are remembered as having 
taught in the last mentioned building, which may 
have been only a cabin vacated by some family, and 
not built for school purposes, yet it was so used. The 
former building was not occupied long, and possibly 
Heaton and Taylor held no school there. In the 
south part of the township later teachers, but very 
early, were one Hardin and Alexander Wilson. 
Not far from 1821 a regularly built frame school- 
house stood near the river, in the northwestern part 
of the township, in which at this time school was 
held by an Irishman by the name of Gray. Probably 
in 1827 or thereabouts the frame building heretofore 
referred to as standing in the grave-yard at Springer- 
ville was built and occupied as a schoolhouse. 

The condition of the schools of the township in 
1879 is exhibited in the following report of the Su- 
perintendent for that year: 

"The interests of the educational affairs of the 
township are managed by B. F. Dungan, who also 
has the experience of a previous term. Foiu- school- 
houses, taking them as a township, are the best in 
the county — well an-anged, large and commodious. 
Educational matters are looking up in this township; 
but it is in need of some fencing, shade-trees and 
well fixtures. This latter all townships are in need 
of, as the health of the pupils is of first importance. 
I would recommend that the wells and springs be well 
cared for, and that they be within the school grounds 
if possible. The platform of wells should be of 



stone rather than boards. A previous Trustee built 
the houses, and left them in good order. Number of 
males, 149; females, 113; total, 202." 



WATERLOO VILLAGE. 



Waterloo is situated in the northwestern part of 
the township on the east bank of Nolan's Fork — the 
hamlet consisting of a few dwelling-houses only with 
one industry — a blacksmith shop. A plat of the place 
was recorded October 28, 1841. Among those 
licensed in its earlier history as merchants, hotel- 
keepers, etc., by the County Commissioners were: 
William Port as a merchant in 1825, and later as a 
merchant and grocer; Joseph Flint as grocer and liq- 
uor dealer in 1829; Robert Scott and Louis Beaks as 
the same in 1830; John M. Turner as a tavern-keeper 
and liquor dealer in 1837. Some of these licenses 
were renewed yearly for quite a period — William 
Port's especially. For a time the people, it seems, 
were of the opinion that too much liquor was being 
sold, and in 1830 the Commissioners when granting 
license issued no liquor license in Waterloo Town- 
ship. 

In 1839 or thereabouts Drs. Richardson and 
Chapman were the physicians of the village, Reuben 
Hawkins and Isaac Kline were the blacksmiths, and 
Joseph Forrey inn-keeper (Eagle House). Not far 
from this period Dr. Richardson built a sawmill on 
Nolan's Fork, which was then in operation. This was 
subsequently owned by John Grewell and still later , ^ 
by John Troxell, in whose hands it fell into disuse. 
Nearly sixty years ago Waterloo was a Methodist 
preaching place on the old Whitewater Circuit. Prior 
to the war of the Rebellion there was built at Water- 
loo a frame church by subscription, in which all de- 
nominations were to hold worship. It was probably 
used more frequently by the United Brethren Society. 
All religious societies there have long since passed 
into history, there being no church building or or- 
ganization now in the village. 

On the night of May 14, 1883, Waterloo was visit- 
ed by a terrible storm, concerning which we quote 
from one of the county papers: " The hamlet of Wa- 
tei-loo was badly damaged. Only three buildings were 
left standing, these three beiug at the north end of 
the one street the place afforded. Every other build- 
ing, barn or dwelling, was either roofless or totally 
destroyed. The place contained about 100 inhabitants, 
about seventy-five of whom were rendered homeless, 
and yet but one person wasinjttred, and he slightly." 

CHURCHES. 

The earliest Methodist class or society in the 
township, and among the first in the county, was that 
out of which grew the church styled Robinson's 



216 



HISTOEY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Chapel. This chapel building is a large frame, 
located in the northeastern part of the township, and 
at which is a burying- ground of considerable age. 
As far back as we can trace the history of the origi- 
nal class or society, it was an appointment along with 
Waterloo, a class at John Quinns, Brownsville, Bethel, 
Alquina. Veatches (Mt. Garrison), and others further 
south. The old Whitewater Circuit was formed in 
1806 or 1807; just at what time the class at Robin- 
son's was organized or first visited by the preachers who 
traveled the circuit, in the absence of records we 
cannot state, but it was some years before the forma- 
tion of the Connersville Circuit in 1822. Sixty years 
ago the village of Brownsville, just east in Union 
County, was among the most flourishing societies on 
the circuit; the preacher often lived there. A meet- 
ing-house at Robinson's was built early; we find a 
reference to it in the decade between 1820 and 1830. 
The present house of worship there was built in 1845. 
The following list contains the names of some of 
the earlier preachers who traveled the old Whitewater 
Circuit and circuits growing out of it, on which Rob- 
inson's was an appointment: 

1823, Revs. Bigelow and Gatch. 

1824, Revs. Everhart and White. 

1825, Revs. Stephens and Griffith. 

1826, Revs. Havens and Jones. 

1827, Rev. Havens. 

1828, Revs. Hitt and Scott. 

1829, Revs. Thompson and Robinson. 

1830, Revs. Havens and Smith. 

1831, Revs. Tayler and Kimball. 

1832, Revs. McReynolds and Dailey. 

1833, Revs. Tarkington and Griss. 

1834, Revs. Bonner and Robins. 

1835, Revs. McReynolds and Harris. 

1836, Revs. Burwick and Stallard. 

1837, Revs. Phelps and Kiger. 

1838, Revs. Beswick and Hartie. 

1839, Revs. Beeks and Kelso. 

1840, Revs. Kiger and Landy Havens. 

In the church -yard sleep many of the pioneers of 
Waterloo Township and the neighboring country. 
One of the earliest graves marked by a tombstone 
upon which is an inscription that is legible, or one at 
all, is that of Catharine, daughter of H. and M. 
Henry, who died January 14, 1828, aged fourteen 
days. 

Among the remains of the aged resting here are 
those of William McGraw, who died in 1871, aged 
eighty-three years; Martha, his wife, died in 1858, 
aged fifty-nine years; David Pearson, died in 1847, 
aged sixty-seven years; Hannah, his wife, died in 
1867, aged eighty years; Jane Ridgley, died in 1842, 
aged about ninety years; Elizabeth Perry, died in 



1855, aged fifty-eight years; James S. Hamilton, born 
in 1792, died in 1878; Eliza, his wife, born in 1797, 
died in 1872; Matthew Robinson, died in 1841, aged 
sixty-one years; Eleanor, his wife, died in 1864, aged 
eighty-one years; Thomas Harbin, died in 1866, aged 
seventy-one years; Mary, his wife, died in 1868, aged 
seventy-two years; Robert Holland, died in 1857, aged 
seventy-seven years; Margaret, his wife,died in 1851, 
aged sixty-three years; Daniel Skinner, died in 1871, 
aged ninety years; Nancy A., his wife, died in 1865, 
aged eighty years; John Thomas, died in 1866, aged 
seventy-one years; John M. Layson, died in 1861, 
aged seventy-six years; Sidney, his wife, died in 1855, 
aged sixty-four years; Catharine Little, died in 1855, 
aged eighty-six years; Henry Henry, died in 1859, 
aged eighty-two years; Margaret, his wife, died in 
1867, aged seventy-five years. 

On either side of what is called Four Mile Creek, 
in eastern Indiana and western Ohio, from 1804 to 
1808 settled fourteen families, coming principally 
from the States of Virginia and Pennsylvania. These 
people were members of the German Baptist Church 
before their emigration. Elder Jacob Miller, who 
is thought to have been the first German Baptist 
minister who preached west of the Great Miami River, 
came occasionally from Bear Creek, in Ohio, and here 
preached for this membership, which was organized 
by him, with the assistance of John Hart and Mr. 
Bolton. In subsequent years the church increased in 
numbers, two districts were formed and a second 
meeting-house was erected in the southern part of 
Union County, this State. Subsequently a member- 
ship was formed in this township, among whom were 
John Moyer, Samuel and Elizabeth McLinster, 
Salome Fiant, Sarah Moyer, Mrs. Daniel Fiant (the 
first member of this denomination in the community), 
Daniel Jamiey soon after, Susannah Strong, Cath- 
arine Priser, Martin Fiant, Mrs. Fiant, John Moss, 
Elizabeth Dise, Jonas and Mary Fiant, Samuel and 
Catharine Crick, Ada Simpson, John Fiant and wife 
Hannah, Polly McPherin, Lewis Paten and wife 
Elizabeth and Susannah Ward. 

Their house of worship, a frame structure, was 
built in 1868, the building committee being Jonas 
and John Fiant and Isaac Pritchard. Prior to the 
building of the church edifice, meetings were held in 
dwellings and in barns. Among the ministers who 
have served the charge have been John Moyer, Will- 
iam Moss, Abraham Moss, Daniel Miller, Daniel 
Brown and Jacob Rife. Preaching is held once in 
four weeks. Present memberships in the neighbor- 
hood of fifty. 

8PKINGEEV1LLE. 

The hamlet of Springerville is located in the 
southern part of the township, on the road leading 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



217 



from Connersville to Brownsville, and was laid out. 
by Thomas Simpson, Jr., in 1840; surveyed August 
9 of that year, by William Dickey. 

■ About the year 1838 the frame house now occu- 
pied by Henry Schriver in the hamlet was built by 
Thomas Simpson, Jr., in which the postoffiee and a 
store were kept by Mr. Simpson. License was 
granted him to vend merchandise and groceries by the 
County Commissioners in January, 1839. Probably 
ten years prior to this goods were sold in that local- 
ity by William McKimmey (the records show that 
William A. McKemmy was licensed as a merchant in 
the county in January, 1835). James Culley was sub- 
sequently a merchant at this point. Among the 
blacksmiths of that vicinity, and about the period of 
which we are writing, were John Hoffy and Mortlo 
Bemington. 

The ground now occupied as a grave-yard at 
Springerville was owned in a very early day by 
William Dawson (entered by Thomas Dawson) and 
the first burial made on the site of the grave-yard 
was a small child of Charles Hubbartt, which was 
drowned in a spring. This occurred quite soon after 
the settlement of that vicinity. This tract of land 
was in subsequent years purchased by Thomas Simp- 
son, Jr., and although public burying there had been 
made for years, and the yard was in the hands of 
Trustees, no deed was made for that purpose until 
after Mr. Simpson became possessor of the land, when 
he deeded a half acre to Charles Hubbartt, John 
Hubbell and Henry Holland as Trustees of the bury- 
ing-ground. In the corner of the grave-yard, at 
about this time, was erected the little frame building, 
yet standing there, for a schoolhouse, church and 



funeral purposes, on ground given for such by 
Thomas Simpson, Jr. 

The remains of many the old citizens and pioneers 
lie slumbering here, among them: 

William Walker, Sr. , aged eighty-two years; 
Jane, his wife, seventy-two; Joseph Felker, sixty- 
eight; Eve, his wife, seventy -four; Joseph White, 
eighty-three; Mary, his wife, seventy-six; Daniel 
Cline, eighty-three; J. Hubbell, Sr., ninety-two; Bar- 
bara, his wife, eighty; Henry Holland, seventy-three; 
Jane, his wife, sixty-nine; Abner Chenanlt, seventy- 
eight; Mary, his wife, seventy-three; Samuel Frazley, 
fifty-one; Catharine, his wife, sixty-three; Jonathan 
Davis, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, eighty- 
five; Michael Petro, eighty-three; Ivah, his wife, 
fifty-nine; Montgomereys, Rigges, Mongers, Browns 
and manv others. 



HALFCENTDEY CITIZENS. 



The following list contains the names of such citi- 
zens of the township as had in 1879 resided in the 
county fifty years or upward; 

Thomas Simpson and wife, William Simpson and 
wife, William C. Jones and wife, John Hubbell and 
wife, Jonas Fiant and wife, John Fiant and wife, 
David Fiant and wife, D. H White and wife, Albert 
Layson and wife, Daniel Burris and wife, Joseph 
Sutclitf and wife, Henry McMullen and wife, Alexan- 
der Vanblair and wife, David Lyons and wife, Will- 
iam Montgomery, Clayton Lambert, J. D. Monger, 
Jacob Heider, Jacob Troxell, Joseph Cole, W. R. 
Skinner, Mrs. Roysden, Mrs. Wolverton, Mrs. Job, 
Mrs. Peyton, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Thomjjson Cook, Irvjn 
White. 



OHAPTEE XXIY. 



ORANGE TOWNSHIP. 



ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARIES— LAND SALES— PIONEERS— SCHOOLS— MILLS, 
AND BURYING-GROCNDS—FAYETTEVILLE— HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 



DISTILLERIES, ETC.- CHURCHES 



ORANGE TOWNSHIP was organized in Febru 
ary, 1822. It is situated in the southwest cor- 
ner of the county, lying south of Fairview Township, 
west of Columbia and Connersville Townships, north 
of Franklin County, and east of Rush County. The 
territory comprising it was taken from Connersville 
and Columbia Townships, and at its formation was thus 
designated; "Beginning at the southwest corner of 
Fayette County, running eastwardly with said county 
line three miles to the range line; thence north with 



the said range line to the northern boundary of Con- 
nersville Township; thence we^. with the said town- 
ship line to the county line; thence south with said 
county line to the place of beginning." 

It was then six sections larger than at present. 
The two northern tiers of sections were taken from it 
on the formation of F"'airview Township in 1851. 



LAND SALES. 



The lands of the township as originally disposed 



218 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



of by the Government, with the year of sale and the 
purchaser's names, are set forth in the following list: 

Township 14 north, Range 11 east. 

Section 34, sold in 18'20 to Robert Lyon and Jos- 
eph Justice. 

Section 35, sold in 1820 to Ephraim Frazee and 
John Gregg. 

Section 36, sold in 1820 to Ephraim Smith, Nath- 
an Ells, Moses Scott and Ephraim Frazee. 

Township 13 north, Range 11 east. 

Section 1, sold in 1822, 1825, 1830 and 1831 to 
Ephraim Frazee, John Coley, Dyer Woodworth, Ab- 
raham Finch, Enos Carter, Samuel Smith and Will- 
iam Martin. 

Section 2, sold in 1822, 1824, 1826, 1828 and 1830 
to David Dill, John Coley, Robert M. Orr, John 
Wagoner, Philip Rich and Aaron Anderson. 

Section 3, sold in 1820, 1821 and 1822 to Aaron 
Betts, John Ratcliff, John Russell, Mary, Susannah, 
Margaret, Marion and Regannah Ronald, and David 
Dill. 

Section 10, sold in 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1830 to 
Isaac Thomas, Hugh Allen, Joshua Moore, David 
Dill, George H. Puntenny and Joseph McDonald. 

Section 11, sold in 1822, 1830, 1831, 1832 and 
1834, to George H. Puntenny, Silas M. Stone, Thomas 
R. Stevenson, John Alexander, Jefferson Helm, James 
Case, Hugh Wilson, James Lathers and Noah Daw- 
son. 

Section 12, sold in 1820, 1831, 1832 and 1834 to 
John Ronald, John C. Halstead, John Thomas and 
Hugh Wilson. 

Section 13, sold in 1820, 1822, 1823, 1825, 1827, 
1831 and 1832 to William Callett, John Klum, 
Henry Klum, George K. Cook, John Cook, John Hag- 
lett and Thomas G. Stephens. 

Section 14, sold in 1821, 1822, 1824 and 1831 to 
Triplett Lockhart, Shelton Jones, Thomas William- 
son, Elias B. Stone, Jonas Jones, Silas H. Stone, 
Bethuol Rychmaul and Henry Klum. 

Section 15, sold in 1821 and 1822, to Henry Brown, 
Aaron Betts and Elias B. Stone. 

Section 22, sold in 1821, 1822, 1824 and 1830, to 
William Stephens, John Wagoner, Charles Scott, 
David Dill, Elias B. Stone, John Longfellow and 
Daniel Jackson. 

Section 23, sold in 1822, 1824 and 1830 to Daniel 
McNeill, David Dill, Peyton Cook, John L. Lindsey, 
John Daniel and Thomas G. Stephens. 

Section 24, sold in 1825, 1831, 1832 and 1834 to 
William McPherson, Josiah Mullikin, Euphemia 
Morrison, Daniel Jackson, John Klum and Lewis B. 
Tupper. 

Section 25, sold in 1821, 1823, 1832, 1833 and 
and 1834 to Elias Matney, John Jacobs, Elisha Elli- 



son, James Stevens, Thomas G. Stephenson, Mary 
Johnson and Richard Stevens. 

Section 26, sold in 1822, 1824, 1830 and 1833 to 
Robert Stevens, Ephraim Johnson, Lewis Johnson, 
Jacob Moss, Samuel Wilson, John English and La-w- 
rence Johnson. 

Section 27, sold in 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1825 
and 1830 to David Crews, Jr., William Moore, 
Michael Beaver, James New, Solomon Carn, Lawrence 
Johnson and Riaard Rinearson. 

Section 34, sold in 1820, 1822. 1823, 1825 and 
1829 to C. Rinearson, William Pool, Joseph Stevens, 
William Dearning, Conrad Plow, William Arnold and 
Moses Bart. 

Section 35, sold in 1821, 1822, 1823 and 1831 to 
Catherine Watson, B. E Hains, Conrad Plow, Elijah 
Pool, Adam McNeill and C. W. Burt. 

Section 36, sold in 1820, 1821, 1822, 1829 and 
1834 to Cornelius Rinearson, Alexander Ayers, Tim- 
othy Allison, John Woolech, John Linville and 
James Conwell. 

The greater portion of the above lands were pur- 
chased in forty and eighty-acre tracts. 

PIONEERS. 

The beginning of immigration to the lands of 
Orange Township dates from about the year 1820. 
Little knowledge concerning the first settlements and 
those making them can be gathered at this late day. 

Among the first to settle in the township was the 
now venerable Wells Stevens, who, at this writing, is 
unconscious to the things of this world. Mr. Ste- 
vens is a North Carolinan, from which State his 
father, Robert, emigrated during the first decade of 
the century to the vicinity of the settlements of the 
Carolina colony on East Fork of Whitewater River. 
Robert here lived in the vicinity of Templeton's 
Creek until the close of the war of 1812, and during 
the war served several months along the frontier set- 
tlements. He then settled on Garrison's Creek in 
what is now Columbia Township. 

Wells, possibly in 1819, but probably not before 
1820, then just married, settled in the southwest cor- 
ner of this township, and began the work of the early 
settler. He had built his cabin before the survey 
was comjjleted, and in it, it is said, he entertained 
more than once some one or more of the party 
engaged in making the survey. Later, Robert 
removed to that vicinity and there passed his life. 

Elias B. Stone, emigrating from Kentucky in 
about the year 1820, settled southeast of the now 
village of Fayetteville on Garrison's Creek, and some 
two years later Silas H. Stone, a brother, then a 
young and single man, came out from Lincoln (now 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



219 



Bojle) County, Ky., but returned to Kentucky, and 
again came out in 1824 and made a settlement. 

Adam McNeill, a brother-in-law to Robert Stevens, 
prior to 1822 had settled in the Stevens neighbor- 
hood on Sain' 8 Creek. 

About the time Robert Stevens made his settle- 
ment William Pool from North Carolina located in 
the same neighborhood. 

In 1821 George Creelman, a native of the County 
of Antrim, Ireland, settled where his son W. G. now 
resides. Mr. Creelman died in 1880 at the advanced 
age of ninety-three years. 

At the same period the Dills settled here. 

In 1823 or thereabouts Ralph Titsworth and 
family, from Scott County, Ky., settled probably a 
mile and a half north of Fayetteville. He had lived 
for a time before coming in Butler County, Ohio, 
and before settling in Kentucky, in the State of New 
Jersey. Mrs. Squire Daniel, of Fayetteville, is a 
daughter. 

Along north and east of Fayetteville during the 
decade between 1820 and 1830, settled, and were 
living there, Hugh Allen, John Russell (who cleared 
the land and built the house in which the late Robert 
Gamble died), Samuel Hornady (lived where Robert 
Martin now owns), John Coley, James Lathers and 
a Mr. Perkins. 

Just east of the village of Fayetteville, at the 
period above referred to, there lived, on what will be 
recognized as the Dr. Mason farm, Isaac Thomas. 
Still further east lived a Mr. Jones from Kentucky, 
who after a period returned to that State. Still east 
of Jones had settled Thuel Wrightman and Henry 
Klum. 

In 1822 John Scott, a native of Pennsylvania, 
entered land in the township and that year built a 
cabin upon it, and removed his mother's family 
thereto. His parents when he was small emigrated 
to the vicinity of Brush Creek in Adams County, 
Ohio. Here the father died and left a large family 
with nothing. The son John traveled the river, work- 
ing on flat-boats which were engaged in conveying 
salt from the Kanawha "Works to Cincinnati and to 
other points, and traveled the Mississippi, Kentucky 
and other rivers, and with his earnings made the 
purchase referred to. He served as one of the Asso- 
ciate Judges of the county and occupied other public 
positions. 

Henry Dicken, from Kentucky, and Triplet Lock- 
hart, of the family that settled early in Connersville 
Township, were among the pioneers of Orange; also 
Joseph Justice. 

Another of the pioneers on Sain's Creek was Cor- 
nelius Rinearson; and in that same vicinity located 
early Laurence Johnson. 



In 1826 Elias Matney, a Kentuckian, and his 
father-in-law, Alexander Ayers, settled on adjoining 
land on Sain's Creek, in the southeastern part of the 
township. They were from Preble County, Ohio, 
here. Ayers had emigrated thither from Pennsylvania. 

Comparatively speaking, few of the farms in this 
township, it is said, were cleared up and improved 
without the aid of leasers or renters of land, concern- 
ing which large class the records give little or no in- 
formation, and as many of them, on the expiration of 
their leases, removed from the county, nothing definite 
of them can be given. In some cases the purchasers 
of the land remained in the East or in other States 
from whence they emigrated until the land was par- 
tially cleared up. These leasers were to make speci- 
fied improvements on the premises and live thereon 
for a term of years free of rent, etc., etc. Of this 
class we would gladly write could the data be obtained. 

SCHOOLS. 

The fu-st school held in the township is thought 
to have been kept in a cabin just north of the village 
of Fayetteville in 1823, taught by Eleanor Blair. 
Two or three years later Miss Mitchell taught a school 
in a cabin house that stood probably one and a half 
miles east of north of Fayetteville, on what is now 
the Joseph Gamble farm — then the Russell land. 
The cabin had been occupied as a dwelling by Mr. 
Russell, and abandoned on his building a new one. 

District No. 1 was organized in 1824 under the 
law. The tax levied was nearly all paid in labor or 
material. The ground upon which it stood, situated 
on the hill northwest of Gray's saw-mill, was donated 
by John Coley. The building was in keeping with 
the houses of that period — of hewed logs, the floor 
of walnut puncheons, clapboard roof, and the chim- 
ney of stone. It is thought that a Mr. Gunn taught 
the flrst school in this building. In 1825 a second 
school district was organized in Danville (now Fay- 
etteville). Wiley J. Daniel was one of the early 
teachers in the Danville building. Subsequently a 
frame house was built in the village, in which J. P. 
Daniel taught for a time. James Rhodes is also 
remembered as having taught in the village school. 

The first schoolhouse in the settlement along 
Sain's Creek stood in the northwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 36, on what is now the land of A. Winchell. 
Early teachers in this house were Alexander Patton, 
John Bell and Thomas Points. The next house in 
this section of the country was built some 400 yards 
south of the other. Alexander Matney taught in this 
building. The condition of the schools of the town- 
ship in 1879 is shown by the following report of the 
County Superintendent: 

" The Trustee, Mr. Anson Moore, is earnest in the 



220 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



oversight of his schools, and his management seems 
to give very general satisfaction, although he is some- 
what cramped in special finances on full time. Ap- 
jjliances only fair. Has time-pieces, I believe, but 
needs, for the comfort of his scholars, better and 
more commodious rooms, shade trees, etc., as soon as 
convenient. Mr. Moore visits his schools and famil- 
iarizes himself with the children and teachers. 
School interests are safe in his hands. Number of 
children — males, 151; females, 124; total, 275. Num- 
ber of schools, live (one double school). Teachers 
are doing satisfactory work, so far as we have known." 

MILLS, DISTILLERIES, ETC. 

The first mill in the township was built in 1822 
by Elias B. Stone. It was a grist-mill. S. H. Stone 
came out from Kentucky the first time to assist his 
brother in erecting the mill. The mill was located 
on the south branch of Garrison's Creek, and not far 
from the center of the township. Subsequently 
Silas H. Stone added a saw-mill and also built a 
grist-mill, and operated both for years. The mill 
property passed into the hands of Jack Lindsey and 
James Tuttle, who built and carried on in connection 
with the mills a distillery. On the north branch of 
Garrison's Creek Hugh Gray built a saw-mill very 
early — prior to 1833. On this stream above the Gray 
Mill later was built a saw-mill by William Reed. 
Mr. Starbuck started a tan-yard at Fayetteville quite 
early, which was by him carried on some time. 
His successor in this line in the same village was 
Isham Keith. Some years subsequent to 1833 there 
was a carding-machine in operation in Fayetteville 
by Benjamin F. Morrow. This, however, was short- 
lived. 

CHURCHES AND BORYING-GROUNDS. 

Among the first emigrants settling in the town- 
ship were a number who were members of the Re- 
formed Presbyterian Church, and in due time such 
an organization was formed and a church buildincr 
erected on laud deeded by Samuel Hornady (now the 
Robert Martin place) in Section 3. The organiza- 
tion took place early, yet the meeting-house was not 
built for a number of years thereafter, and then 
remained in an unfinished state until probably 1848 
or 1849. Among the original members of the church 
here were the Dills, the Russells, the Craigs, and 
others. 

On the division which took place in the Presby- 
terian Church in 1833, the church under considera- 
tion was divided; those adhering to the doctrines of 
the Old School withdrew, and erected, in about 1850, 
a house of worship a half mile south of the other 
building. Among the early members of this congre- 
gation were John Alexander, Mr. Reed, Mr, Gowdy, 



Robert and Martin Gamble, the Hustons and others. 

Both churches in their early history had only sup- 
plies. From about 1848 until some time before the 
late war, Rev. Josiah Dodds preached for the Old 
School congregation. Since that time Revs. Robb, 
Johnson and McClerkin have served that people. 

Among the early members of the New School 
Church were Thomas Little and sons — Samuel and 
John — William Marks, John Gamble, James Landen, 
Thomas Marks and John G. Gray. From about 1849 
until 1859, Rev. Andrew Heron served the congrega- 
tion, since which time they have had supplies only. 
In 1881 the house of worship was destroyed by fire, 
and since then, and for a time prior thereto, the con- 
gregation has been holding services in the church 
building at Glenwood. 

There is a small burying-ground at each church. 
At the north grave-yard the earliest burial marked by 
a tombstone is that of an infant daughter of E. and 
J. Cooper, who died in 1837. Among the aged buried 
in this yard are Samuel and Jane Hamilton, Elizabeth 
Little, William Culbertson, Martha Gamble, Jane 
Crawford, Ann Carter and Nancy Luke. 

At the south grave-yard, among the aged whose 
graves are marked by tombstones are Mary McMillan, 
aged seventy- two years; George Creelman, aged 
ninety-three years; Rosanna Williamson, aged 
seventy-six years; Robert Gamble, aged seventy-three 
years; Jane Milligan, aged eighty-one years; and 
Robert Craig, aged eighty- two years. 

The grave-yard at Fayetteville dates back to the 
first settlement of that vicinity. As earlj' as 1833 
there were quite a number of graves in it. Among 
the aged interred here are W. J. Daniel, aged about 
eighty years; John R. Daniel, aged seventy-four 
years; John Wagoner, aged eighty four years ; Elder 
John Haslett, aged seventy-three years; Noah Daw- 
son, aged seventy- niney oars; Joshua Crawford, aged 
seventy-five years. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Fayetteville 
had its origin in a class that was organized in 1822 
by Rev. John Havens, a local preacher, at the house 
of Judge Gregg, one mile west of Fayetteville. The 
class consisted of the following- named eleven mem- 
bers: Judge Gregg and wife, Samuel Rounds and 
wife, Noah Dawson and wife, Mrs. Sarah George, 
Hugh Wilson, Thomas Dawson, John Merrick, Sr., 
and John Merrick, Jr. 

The quarterage paid by the circuit the first year 
was $36. 12i of which Gregg's class paid |2. 12i. Of 
this sum the Pastor received $31.87 J, and the Presid- 
ing Elder $4.25. 

This class constituted an appointment on the Con- 
nersville Circuit until Columbia Circuit was formed 
in 1851. The first house of worship of the society 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



221 



was built in Fayetteville in 1838, for some time prior 
to which date meetings were conducted in the wagon- 
shop of John Merrick. The church building, a frame, 
was used until the present beautiful and commodious 
edifice was erected in 1872, at a cost of $3,000. The 
charge is now a part of Glenwood Circuit, of which 
Rev. J. W. Dashiell is pastor. Present membership 
about fifty. At the dedication of the new church 
Rev. Dr. Andrus, President of Asbury University, 
ofBciated. 

The Christian Chui'ch at Fayetteville was organ- 
ized July 4, 1829, by Elder John P. Thompson. The 
frame of a meeting-house was soon put up by Elias 
B. Stone, one of the charter members, principally at 
his own expense. The building was not completed 
for several years. In 1851 a substantial frame house 
of worship was erected, principally through the efforts 
of E. S. Frazee, who has preached for the congrega- 
tion on an average of half the time since 1851. In 
1875 the building was remodeled and rebuilt, and 
is now substantial and commodious. Elder John P. 
Thompson continued preaching for the church until 
his death in 1871. Among the early regular pastors 
of the society were William McPherson, John O'Kane, 
R. T. Brown, George Campbell and Henry Pritchard. 
For the last third of a century the society has met 
regularly on the first day of the week for worship. 

In the early settling of this township another 
Methodist society was organized, and held services at 
private bouses and in schoolhouses until in about 
1837, when the old frame building, yet standing in 
the southern part of the township near the residence of 
Alexander Matney, was erected for a house of worship. 
This was so used' until probalily ten years ago, 
when the society, having become weak, abandoned 
the house, which was sold to Mr. Matney. The con- 
gregation then went to other churches of that denom- 
ination in the vicinity. 

Just a short distance from the church above 
described stands a frame house of worship, built on 
ground deeded by Alexander Matney. The building 
was erected by general subscription, and has been 
used as a union church, its doors being open for all 
denominations. This was built some fifty or sixty 
years ago. Since 1874 or thereabouts it has been 
principally occupied by a United Brethren congrega- 
tion, organized by Rev. Alexander Carroll. This 
congregation now holds services there once every 
three weeks, with Rev. Mr. Boland in charge. 

The grave-yard on the hill not far distant from 
either church had its origin in the family place of 



burial of the Rinearsons. David and John Rinear- 
soD were among the first interments in it. Subse- 
quently the ground fell into possession of Alexander 
Matney, who donated one- half acre to those in charge 
of the church for burial purposes. 

FAYETTEVILLE. 

This pretty little village, situated in the extreme 
western part of the township on the road forming 
the boundary line between the two counties, was laid 
out by the surveyor, Thomas Hinkson, for Elias B. 
Stone and Isaac Thomas, October 12, 1824. It was 
then designated as Danville. In 1841 an addition 
to the village (south) was made by Elias B. Stone, 
surveyed by William Dickey. Robert Cox kept the 
first store in the village, Robert Wilson was the first 
blacksmith, and Drs. Mason, Helm and Daniel early 
physicians. Mr. Cox, in addition to blacksmithing, 
manufactured bells. 

In 1833 Burgess Q. Wells was a merchant, and in 
1837 the Postmaster of the village. Later of the 
early merchants were James M. Conner and Thomas 
Marks; John Latchem was another of the early "vil- 
lage smiths;" John B. Williams was the cabinet- 
maker in 1833, and one Vantyne the wagon-maker. 
Joshua Wolf was another of the early blacksmiths. 

The first frame house in the village was built by 
Dr. Jefferson Helm in 1830 or 1831. It is still stand- 
ing, and is now occupied by Thomas Boylan. The 
first and only brick house in the village was built by 
Joshua Wolf. 

The village at present has a population of prob- 
ably 150. It has a postoffice, two blacksmith shops, 
a saw-mill, one wagon-making shop, an extensive car- 
riage and buggy factory, two good stores, one drug- 
store, one harness shop, a large two-story school 
building and two churches. 

HALF-CENTUBY CITIZENS. 

The following list contains the names of such 
citizens as had in 1879 resided in the county fifty 
years or upward: 

John Reid and wife, William Banks and wife, 
Thomas Jones and wife, William Huston and wife, 
S. H. Stone and wife, Sarah Amber, Mrs. John Scott, 
Mary Haines, Jesse Dailey, William Conner, George 
Creelman, W. G. Creelman, Mrs. Hugh Wilson, Mrs. 
John Spivey, Mrs. Ross Morrison, Mrs. Mary Conner, 
Stephen Matney, Alex. Matney, Wells Stevens, Isham 
Stevens, Lawrence Johnson, John Johnson, John 
Coon, John Winchell, G. W. Jones, John I. Stephens, 
Mrs. J. P. Daniels, Mary Williams. 



222 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



POSEY TOWNSHIP. 

BOUNDARIES AND ORGANIZATION— LAND ENTRIES— PIONEERS AND PIONEER NOTES— SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND 
GRAVE-YARDS— HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 



THIS, the second township in size in the county, 
is situated in the northwestern part thereof, 
bounded on the north by Henry and Wayne Counties, 
on the east by Wayne County, on the south by Fair- 
view and Harrison Townships, and on the west by 
Rush County. Its organization dates from 1823. 
The Commissioners of the county at their February 
session of that year ordered that "henceforth all 
that district of country and part of Harrison Town- 
ship which is inclosed in the following bounds, shall 
form and constitute a new township to be known and 
designated by the name of Posey Township, to-wit: 
Beginning at the southwest corner of Wayne County, 
at the southeast corner of Section 28, running thence 
north on the county line live miles to the extreme 
northeast corner of Fayette County; thence west six 
miles to the northwest corner of said county; thence 
south five miles to the southwest corner of Section 
27; thence east on the section line to the place of 
beginning." The boundary lines are the same to-day 
as when originally formed. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The land disposed of by the Government, with the 
year of sale and the purchasers' names is set forth in 
the following list: 

Township 15 north. Range 12 east. 

Section 28, sold in 1811, 1812, 1814, to George 
Manlove, R. Kolb, Maalove Caldwell and John Cald- 
well. 

Section 21, sold in 1812, 1813, 1814 and 1821, to 
Elisha Dennis, William Lowry, Amos Ashew, Samuel 
Heath and John Gilleland. 

Section 9, sold in 1817, 1825, 1828 and 1829 to 
John Bell, Hem-y Thornburg, Thomas Biitler and 
John Beal. 

Section 4, sold in 1817, 1821, 1822 and 1823, to 
Joel Rains, Thomas Reagan, Henry Thornburg and 
Chaney Ridgway. 

Section 5, sold in 1821. 1822, 1823 and 1824, to 
James Swofford, Henry Thornburg, Peter Wails, 
Daniel Mills, Nehemiah Stanbrough, Andrew Pente- 
cost, Michael Spencer and Isaac Galbraith. 

Section 7, sold in 1823, 1824 and 1829, to James 



Kirkwood, James Gilleland, Thomas Kirkwood, Rob- 
ert Harrison, James S. Kirkwood, Levi Charles, 
Andrew Pentecost and Garrison Miner. 

Section (5, sold in 1822, 1824, 1826 and 1836, to 
Rachael Frazier, David Galbraith, James McConkey, 
William Moore, John Frazier, Ezra Hunt and Benja- 
min Griffin. 

Section 17, sold in 1821, 1822 and 1823, to Sam- 
uel Bantham, John Whitehead, Micajah Ferguson and 
John Ingles. 

Section 8, sold in 1821, 1823 and 1828, to Joel 
Rains, Henry Thornburg, Elizabeth McCollum, 
James Gilleland and Joseph Gard. 

Section 20, sold in 1821 and 1823, to John Gille- 
land, John Huston, John C. Cook, Prudence Mai) love, 
Laurence Ginn and James Gilleland. 

Section 19, sold in 1821, to Lawrence Ginn, True- 
man Munger, Hugh Dickey and Edward K. Munger. 

Section 18, sold in 1821 and 1822, to John Higer, 
John Ingles, John K. Munger, William McCann and 
John Weaver. 

Section 29, sold in 1814, 1821 and 1822, to John 
Loder, Philip Srader, David Sprong, John Huston 
and Charles Legg. 

Section 30, sold in 1821 and 1822, to John Higer, 
Philip Srader, John Huston, William Sutton, John 
Murphy and Bennett B. Cook. 

Township 15 north, Range 11 east. 

Section 26, sold in 1821, to Matthew Howard. 

Section 27, sold in 1821, 1823, 1824 and 1826, to 
Michael Brown, John C Cook, Reason W. Debriler, 
Samuel Knotts, Jonathan Hatfield and Greenbury 
Lahine. 

Section 23, sold in 1821, 1823, 1826 and 1828, to 
Micajah Jackson, John Mallins, John Peanell, Will- 
iam Pattison, Matthew Marhland, L. Whitehead, 
Henderson Bragg and Nathan Wilson. 

Section 24, sold in 1821, 1822 and 1823, to John 
Stephen, William Dickey, James Russell, Elijah 
Haymon, James Gilleland and Robert McCann. 

Section 25, sold in 1821, 1822 and 1823, to John 
Huston, John Daubenspeck, William Alger, William 
Pattison and Henry Conkling. 

Section 13, sold in 1821, 1823, 1824 and 1827, to 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



223 



Thomas K. Stiles, John Treadway, Enoch Warman, 
Jane Gilleland, John Norcrosa and Jesse Dobbins. 

Section 14, sold in 1821, 1822, 1824 and 1825, to 
Robert Dollahan, John Banlill, Isaac Metcalf, Will- 
iam Beard, Samuel Alexander and Casper Stoner. 

Section 15, sold in 1821, 1822, 1824 and 1826, to 
L. French, Jacob Lonen, John Hiilis and Thomas 
Woodman. 

Section 22, sold in 1824, 1825, 1826, 1828 and 
1829, to John Coleman, Isaac Personett, Robert 
Moulton, G. Pattison, A. J. Veatch and William 
Jackson. 

Section 10, sold in 1821, 1826, 1830 and 1831, to 
Noah Fonts, Thomas Smith, Edward Frazier, John 
MoflBtt, Edward Fryan, William Shaw and Thomas 
Knipe. 

Section 11, sold in 1822, 1824, 1826, 1829 and 
1833, to Mary Wetterfield, George Merrick, Catharine 
Heck, Godfrey Heck and John Slinks. 

Section 12, sold in 1824, 1826, 1828, 1830 and 
1833, to Peter Kemmer, John W. Waterfield, Will- 
iam Henry, Charles Campbell and Joseph Evans. 

Section 1, sold in 1821, 1822, 1823 and 1824, to 
Stephen Hull, Joseph Evans, Solomon Waller and 
John Finney. 

Section 2, sold in 1821, 1822 and 1823, to Joseph 
Evans, John Walters and Conrad Walters. 

Section 3, sold in 1822, 1823, 1829 and 1830, to 
William Walters, Isaac Metcalf, Charles Smith, R. 
Spencer, Peter Voorhes, John G. Eaton and Thomas 
K. Stiles. 

PIONEERS AND PIONEER NOTES. 

In the above list of names of the original pur- 
chasers of the land of Posey Township are many who 
were actual settlers, moved upon the land, cleared 
and improved farms, took part in the building of 
churches, schoolhouses and roads, figured in its polit- 
ical and civil history, and were identified with the 
various movements made in the direction of progress 
and high state of civilization. 

The earliest settler of whom we have been able 
to get any definite information is George Manlove, a 
native of North Carolina, who attempted a settle- 
ment on the head- waters of Lick Creek in the south- 
eastern part of the township in 1811, entering the 
northeast quarter of Section 28, October 31, 1811, 
the first purchase made in what is now Posey 
Township. Mr. Manlove was related to the Cald- 
well's who settled at the same time just east in what 
is'now Harrison Township. They had all settled for 
a time at Fairhaven, Preble Co., Ohio, from whence 
they came to what became Fayette County. It is 
said that Mr. Manlove, with the Caldwells, being 
somewhat afraid of trouble with the Indians, returned 



to Preble County and remained until in 1814, when 
all returned to their settlements here already com- 
menced. 

Mr. Kolb, who made the entry in 1812, was from 
the State of South Carolina. 

John Loder emigrated from the State of New Jer- 
sey and settled on the land entered in 1814, in 1816 
or 1817. He was the father of Mrs. Linville Fergu- 
son, now of Milton, this State. 

Manlove Caldwell was of the same family just 
referred to. 

The Mungers, among the first to enter and settle 
upon land in the " New Purchase, " were from Rut- 
land County, Vt. Edmund K. , with family, settled 
about one and a half miles southeast of the present 
site of Bentonville in the fall of 1821. He was the 
son of Brig.-Gen. Edward Munger, of Vermont, who 
in the early history of Ohio went to Belpre, and there 
raised and disciplined an army, with headquarters 
near Dayton. The Mungers settled for a time in that 
locality, where now, in Montgomery and Greene Coun- 
ties (Ohio), a number of their descendants reside. 
Edward and Lazarus, now residents of this township' 
are sons of Edmund K. 

Andrew M. B. Cole, still a resident of the town- 
ship, a brother-in-law of the Edmund K. Munger just 
spoken of, came to this locality with him, but soon 
returned to his native State, Virginia, and in 1826, 
with his parents, Samuel and Catharine, made a per- 
manent settlement. 

John and Rachel (Beard) Fraizer, natives of 
North Carolina, settled in the township in 1821, upon 
land where a son, Thomas E., now resides. 

George Van Buskirk, Sr., and family, from Ken- 
tucky, settled in the vicinity of Cambridge City in 
1815, and in 1831 a son, George, Jr., settled in the 
vicinity of where he now resides just west of Ben- 
tonville, where he has played well his part in con- 
verting the wilderness of that day into the beautiful 
farms of the present. 

Among other pioneers of that part of the town- 
ship lying in the " New Purchase" were the Gal- 
breaths, Isaac and David, who emigrated from Ken- 
tucky in 1820, and in that year settled Jehu Vickroy, 
from North Carolina. 

In 1821 came John Chapel, Micajah Jackson, 
Henry Thornburg, Reason Reagan and Bennett B. 
Cook, from North Carolina; John G. and William 
Eaton, from Ohio; John Middleton and Thomas B. 
Stiles, from New Jersey; Amos Goflf, from Kentucky; 
Peter Marts, from Pennsylvania. 

In 1822 came John Hallis, William Beard, Rob- 
ert Mitchell, James McConkey, Daniel New, Will- 
iam Patterson, Godfrey Peck, John and Peter Kem- 
mer and Lawrence _Quinn, from Kentucky; William 



224 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Alger, John and James Gilleland, from Pennsylva- 
nia; Thomas Legg, Randall Brewer and Peter Voores, 
from Ohio; Isaac MetcaJf, from England; John Mul- 
lins, John Coleman and John Fraizer, from North 
Carolina. 

In 1827 Mrs. Catharine Heck, a widow with three 
children, removed from Bracken County, Ky., and 
settled in this township. 

The following is a copy of a poll-book of an 
election held in the township in 1826, and is given 
with a view of setting forth other pioneer names; 

"Poll-book of an election held at the house of 
Thomas K. Stiles, in Posey Township, Fayette Coun- 
ty, Ind., on the eighth day of April, A. D. 1826, for 
the pui'pose of electing one Justice of the Peace for 
said township, agreeable to an order of the Board of 
Fayette Justices at their March term, at which time 
and place the following persons appeared and gave 
their vote: 



1. Henry Thornburg, 
3. Paul Coffin, 

3. Randall Brewer, 

4. John Thornburg, 

5. Aaron Youke, 

6. John Fraizer, 

7. William Russell, 

8. Thomas H. Stiles, 

9. Robert Heuston, 

10. Peter Kemmer, 

11. Joseph Spencer, 
13. Thomas Dancen, 

13. Abijah Hani an. 

14. George Weirick, 

15. Robert McCann, 

16. John Ra,sher, 

17. George Raines, 

18. Andrew Pentecost, 

19. John Treadway, 

20. Jacob Shinkle, 

21. Nehemiah Stanleydogh, 

22. Barnes Claney, 

23. Samuel Ridgway, 

24. Tittman Kolb, 

25. James Kirkendall, 

26. Daniel New, 

37. Micajah Jackson, 



38. Masters Vickroy, 

29. George Shinkle, 

30. John Norcross, 

31. David Canady, 
33. William Sutton, 

33. Isaac Sutherland, 

34. Solomon Sprang, 

35. Samuel Minanda, 

36. Jehu Vickroy, 

37. Jacob Watson, 

38. James Denkearad, 

39. Thomas Legg, 

40. Nathan Billson, 

41. James Sprang, 
43. Samuel Peaks, 

43. John Shinkle, 

44. Moses Gard, 

45. Thomas IGrkwood, 

46. John Weaver, 

47. Lawrence Guinn, 

48. Cornelius Wadword, 

49. John Mullins, 

50. Thomas Patterson, 

51. Peter Shepler, 

52. Edmund K. Munger, 

53. Samael Bauther, 

54. James Gilleland. 



The candidates at this election were Thomas Kirk- 
wood, Jacob Shinkle, and John Treadway, and the 
number of votes cast for each was 17, 21 and 16 re- 
spectively. 

William Manlove, a son of George Manlove, was 
born January 19, 1815, and is believed to have been 
the tirst white child born in the township. 

The first school taught in the township was by 
George Manlove, in 1818. 

The tirst wedding is believed to have been that of 
Mr. John Case to Miss Mary Caldwell, which occurred 
at the dwelling of the bride's father, not far from the 
Bchoolhouse. 



The first death that occurred is thought to have 
been that of William Manlove, Sr. 

The first house having a shingle roof was the 
dwelling of George Manlove. 

The first and only grist-mill in the township was 
built not far from 1830, in Section 5, on Simons 
Creek. It did service for probably twenty years. On 
the same creek, in Section 4, and not far from the 
same time, a saw-mill was operated by the father of 
J. A. Baldwin. 

SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND GKAVE-YAEDS. 

The first schoolhouse built in the township stood 
in the southeast corner thereof, and in the portion of 
the Territoiy lying in the "Twelve Mile Purchase" 
(Section 28), and the first teacher was the pioneer, 
George Manlove, above referred to as settling in that 
locality in 1811. This school was conducted as early 
as 1818 by Mr. Manlove. 

Just over the line in Wayne County, from the 
Loder settlement, stood an early built schoolhouse, in 
which, not far from 1826, was teaching Joseph Will- 
iams. Mrs. Linville Ferguson (then Miss Loder), 
attended this school. 

During the decade between 1820 and 1830 some 
five Bchoolhouses were built in various parts of the 
township. 

The first erected in the Van Buskirk neighborhood, 
probably one mile and a half west of the village of 
Bentonville, stood on the land of Mr. Van Buskirk, 
and was built about the year 1831. It was of the 
first type — round logs, greased paper for windows, etc. 
Early teachers here were John Treadway, John Legg 
and Miss Lavinia Church, the latter being the first 
lady teacher in that vicinity. Among the children 
attending school in this building were those of George 
Van Buskirk, of Samuel Kemmer, of John Norcross, 
of Micajah Jackson, and others. This house was not 
in use many years when the neighborhood built 
another log-house, probably a quarter of a mile fur- 
ther west. These schools were all supported by sub- 
scription, but not long after this schoolhouses were 
built and kept up by public money. Merchant Kelly 
is remembered as having taught in the settlement 
west of Bentonville for many years. 

The condition of the schools of the township in 
1879 is shown in the following published report of 
the County Superintendent: 

" The Trustee of the township is Mr. Hathaway, 
who is cautious and economical. He is serving a sec- 
ond term, and has the approval of the school men of 
the township. His teachers are a fair average of the 
county, with one or two exceptions. The number of 
schools in the township is six. Mr. Hathaway visits 
bis schools, is present at township institutes, and con- 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



225 



ducts the same, and is favorable to the interests of 
education in every way. He maintained a high school 
last fall at Bentonville. Number of scholars: Male, 
127; female, 128. Total, 225. This township has a 
time-piece in every school, but needs more blackboards, 
etc." 

Among the earliest settlers of the township were a 
number of Methodists who at once formed a class or 
society and met at private dwellings, and in the sum- 
mer season in the groves, which wei'e "God's first 
temples," and there held communion with the 
Almighty. In 1823 the class met at Lowers, and 
among the members at that time were Jacob and Joe 
Lower, the Hardins, Millers, Wilsons and others. 
The appointment was on the Connersville Circuit, 
which had only recently been formed. The circuit 
was a large one, and preaching was held at many of 
the appointments through the week, the Sabbath 
preaching generally being conducted by the local 
preachers. Among the later Methodists were Thomas 
Stiles and wife, George Patterson and wife, and John 
Eyestone and wife. Their first meeting-house was a log 
one, and was built about one and a half miles southwest 
of Bentonville. Later they built a frame house at 
Bentonville, where services are still occasionally held, 
though the society is weak, and some four or five or 
more years ago they disposed of the building, which 
was converted into a public hall by the township. 
The appointment was long on the Connersville Cir- 
cuit, and later became a part of the charges along the 
western part of the county. 

The Christian Church at Bentonville was organ- 
ized not far from 1836 by Rev. John O'Kane. Among 
the first members were George Van Buskirk and wife, 
Philip Shrader and wife, Trueman Munger and wife, 
Moses Ellis and wife, and Richard Kolb and wife. 
Services were held in private dwellings and in school- 
houses until in 1840, when a frame church building 
was erected just south of Bentonville, which the soci- 
ety occupied until they became too large to be 
comfortably seated, when it gave way to the present 
neat and substantial frame edifice built a year ago at 
a cost of about $2,500. The ground, one and a half 
acres, was deeded for church and burial purposes to 
the Trustees of the society by John Gilleland. Among 
the early ministers of the church were Revs. John 
O'Kane, Elijah Martindale, John Longley, John 
Brown, Jacob Daubenspeck, R. T. Brown, Thomas 
Conly and Elijah Goodwin. The present member- 
ship is about seventy-five, which is in charge of Rev. 
Lewis Wilson. 

The grave-yard at the church is about the age of 
the society. Among the first interments made in it 
were the bodies of Sutherland Gard, Richard Kolb 
and Price Shortridge. The latter, according to the in- 



scription on the tombstone, died August 30, 1834. 
From the inscriptions on the tombstones and more 
pretentious monuments it is evident that many of the 
pioneers were here interred. Some of the aged are 
as follows: 

John Engels, died in 1859, aged sixty-five years; 
Rosey Engels, died in 1877, aged seventy- four years; 
Hester Loder, born in 1790, died in 1874; Mahala 
Cole, died in 1882, aged seventy-one years; William 
Van Dyke, died in 1875, aged eighty years; Samuel 
Pierson, died in 1883, aged seventy-seven years; 
James Gilleland, died in 1854, aged seventy-three 
years; Amos Gilleland, died in 1876, aged eighty-six 
years; Mary WesterBeld, died in 1856, aged seventy- 
two years; John Gilleland, died in 1876, aged eighty- 
seven years; Mary Gilleland, died in 1865, aged sev- 
enty-seven years; John Treadway, died in 1838, aged 
forty-three, years; Phoebe Brown, died in 1852, aged 
eighty-three years; Thomas Shipley, died in 1846, 
aged seventy-three years; Eleanor Shipley, died in 
1857, aged seventy-four years; Philip Shrader, died 
in 1870, aged seventy-eight years; Isabella Loder, 
died in 1863, aged seventy-eight years; Thomas 
Stiles, died in 1864, aged eighty years; Rebecca 
Stiles, died in 1867, aged eighty-one years ; 
Ruth Middleton, died in 1861, aged seventy-two 
years. 

Just north of the old part of the church-yard and 
adjoining it— all within the same enclosure — some 
years ago another tract of an acre and a half of land 
was purchased of James Huston, which was planted in 
evergreens and regularly laid out into lots, and a 
beautiful cemetery established which is now thickly 
dotted over by marble columns and granite monu- 
ments of elegant and costly design. 

Until recent years a congregation of Missionary 
Baptists worshiped about a mile west of Benton- 
ville. The society was organized in that vicinity 
many years ago, and among the early members were 
the Longwells, Carvers, Thomases, and Knopps. 
Services were held in the neighborhood schoolhouse, 
which was finally purchased by the society, who built 
an addition to it, and until the society disbanded 
used it as a house of worship. 

On the land now owned by Andrew Cole, about 
three miles northwest of Bentonville, is the oldest 
public burying-ground in the township. In the early 
history of this section the land was owned by Isaac 
Metcalf ; the spot comprising the place of burial was 
suitable for such, and a public grave-yard was soon 
made of it. A Mrs. Spencer was among the first buried 
in this yard. After the establishment of the grave- 
yard at the Christian Church, not many interments 
were made in the Cole burying-ground, although it 
is still used to some extent. 



226 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



BENTONVILLE. 

Benton vi lie, so named in honor of the late states- 
man, Thomas Benton, of Missouri, is a little hamlet 
situated south of the center of the township and is a 
station on the J. M. & I. R. R. Thirteen lots were 
platted by Joseph Dale, the proprietor thereof, on the 
7th of August, 1838. The surveying was done by 
William Dickey on the same day. 

An addition was made to the place in 1S44 by 
Thomas K. Stiles. 

Before the hamlet was laid out William Young 
had built a house there and was employed as a tailor. 
Among the early business men of the place was Brad- 
ley Perry, who was the neighborhood blacksmith; 
a Mr. Woodson, Samuel Dickey and Joseph Mc- 
Cauley, Woodford Dale and Alfred Loder, merchants; 
William Stockdale, tanner. 

The hamlet today, in a business sense, consists of 
one blacksmith shop, three groceries, one shoe shop, 
one wagon shop and a steam saw-mill. 



HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 

In 1879 there lived in the township the following- 
named citizens who had been residents of the county 
for fifty years and upward: 

C. Thompson and wife, David Kimmer and wife, 
Sarah Kimmer, Sam Lamberson and wife, John Lam- 
berson and wife, William Lamberson and wife, A. M. 
B. Cole and wife, George Van Buskirk and wife, T. 
Van Buskirk and wife, Temple Beeson and wife, 
Jesse Manlove and wife, S. W. Gifford and wife, 
John Scott and wife, James Scott and wife, John 
Weaver and wife, Luther Oldlield and wife,William 
Manlove and wife, Peleg Hathaway and wife, Levi 
Ayers and wife, Linville Ferguson and wife, 0. Wal- 
lace and wife, Rozzell Spencer and wife, Thomas 
Heck and wife, Lewis Shaw and wife, Byrned Bald- 
win and wife, J. H. Tyner and wife, Clarrissa Knapp, 
William Freeman, John Miller, Eunice Monger, 
William Berry, Millie Thatchei-, Lewis Longwell, 
Daniel Longwell, William Longwell, Elmira Kellogg, 
Zellah Longwell, Daniel Heck, Isaac Brittingham, 
James Lowry. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 



FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP. 

ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARIES— LAND ENTRIES— EARLY SETTLEMENT— SCHOOLS— CHURCHES AND GRAVE- 
YARDS—VILLAGES—HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 



FAIRVIEW, the last township formed in the 
county, was not organized until in December, 
1851. It is bounded on the north by Posey Town- 
ship, on the east by Harrison and Connersville Town- 
ships, on the south by Orange Township, and on the 
west by Rush County. Its territory was taken from 
Orange and Harrison Townships, and included the 
land lying within the following described boundaries: 
"Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 25, 
Townshif) 1-1, Range 11, running thence west three 
miles to the Fayette and Rush County lines; thence 
north six miles on said line, to the southwest corner 
of Posey Township; thence east three miles to the 
range line; thence south six miles to the place of 
beginning." The boundary lines have not since 
been altered. 

The sui'face of the country is with very little 
exception level, and the lands are of most excellent 
farming quality, not surpassed if equaled by any in 
the county. Originally the land was covered with a 
dense forest of a variety of trees indicative of a good 
soil, with heavy undergrowth of spice of considerable 



size, as some few who are still with us can testify, 
not forgetting the labor required to clear it. The 
township is under a thorough system of drainage and 
the result is the producing of large crops. The 
farms are well improved and the people are moral, 
law-abiding and enterprising citizens. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The lands of the township were disposed of by 
the Government in the years set forth below, and to 
the parties whose names are there given: 

Township 14 north. Range 11 east. 

Section 1 sold in 1820-21, to Hugh and William 
Dickey, Stephen Hull and James B. Reynolds. 

Section 2 sold in 1820, 1821 and 1824, to John Ste- 
phens, Samuel Shortridge, James B. Reynolds, Jona- 
than Wallace, Ananias Qiflford and Harrison Baker. 

Section 3 sold in 1821 and 1823 to John Wheeler, 
John Smelsor and Benjamin B. Isles. 

Section 10 sold in 1822, 1824, 1825 and 1828, to 
Jeremiah Jeffrey John Wallace, John Hair, Ira 
Alward, William Jeffery and Zachariah Parish. 



HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. 



227 



Section 11 sold in 1820, 1829, and 1831 to Mi- 
chael Brown, Hugli Dickey, Solomon Gifford and 
Lewis Robinson. 

Section 12 sold in 1820, 1821, 1830, 1832 and 
1833 to James Smith, John Darter, Minor Meeker, 
Daniel Campbell, David Scott, Philip Bilby and Sam- 
uel Davis. 

Section 13 sold in 1820, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1829 
and 1830 to William Smiley, John Ellis, JohnBogar, 
John Philpott, John Smith, Andrew Moffitt and 
Joshua Wallace. 

Section 14 sold in 1820 and 1823 to Ross Smiley, 
Jacob Kinder, Thomas Smiley, Thomas Keaton, 
James Putman and Samuel Houseworth. 

Section 15 sold in 1820, 1821, 1823 and 1830 
to James Smiley, Thomas McConnell, William Park- 
er, Jacob Aspaugh, John Clifford, J. Justice and A. 
Sloan. 

Section 22 sold in 1822 and 1830 to Joseph Put- 
enny, Robert McCrory, George Heiger, John Rees 
and Samuel Heiger. 

Section 23 sold in 1821 and 1822 to Thomas Mc- 
Connell, Thomas Moffitt and John Morrison. 

Section 24 sold in 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1831 to 
Jonathan Eddy, John Jake, John Rees, Jr., David 
Stewart, John Darter and John Rees. 

Section 25 sold in 1820 and 1827 to William F. 
Couaghy, John Ryburii, Alexander Rassell and Will- 
iam Ennis. 

Section 26 sold in 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1828 to 
Alexander Russell, William H. Putenny, Ephraim 
Frazee, John Rees and William Nash. 

Section 27 sold in 1821, 1822 and 1823 to William 
Banks, John Morris, William Linder, Richard Nash 
and John McColm. 

Township 15 north, Range 11 east. 

Section 34 sold in 1822 and 1823 to Ira Starr, 
John Gifford, John Pattison, Samuel B. Louden, 
John Murphy and Edward Pattison. 

Section 35 sold in 1822, 1823 and 1824 to Joseph 
Relfe, James Beakley, William Brooks, Thomas 
Legg, William Leer and Abraham Baker. 

Section 36 sold in 1821 and 1822 to William Dick- 
ey, Trueman Munger, Edward R. Munger and Will- 
iam Berkley. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The lands of Fairview, lying entirely within the 
"New Pui-chase," were not settled until, comparative- 
ly speaking, a late date. However, some few ventured 
within its borders quite early. The decade between 
1820 and 1830 will cover the period of its early settle 
ment, the tide of immigration setting in in about 
1820. 

It is very probable that the first settlement was 
effected in Section 12, and in that portion of the 



northeast quarter lying adjacent to Connersville 
Township. Charles Williams, a young man and a 
native of the State of New York, settled on this land 
in 1814. He was a carpenter by trade, which occu- 
pation he followed many years, during which time he 
was identified with the erection of many of the early 
and more recently built houses and barns of that sec- 
tion of the country. Mr. Williams came from Pitts- 
burgh, Penn. , by flat-boat to Cincinnati; thence by 
wagon to the county, where he passed the remainder 
of his life. He also followed farming. He was the 
father of Charles M. Williams, ex-County Auditor and 
Surveyor. 

About the year 1819 William Nelson from Ver- 
mont settled on what is now the G. S. Dunn farm, on 
a branch of Williams Creek. 

In the same year, emigrating from Ohio, settled 
William and Alexander Russell, brothers, locating in 
the northern part of the township. 

John Ryburn is thought to have settled in the 
township in 1819. 

Ananias Gifford, a native of New Jersey, removed 
to Ohio in 1815, stopping at Newtown on the Little 
Miami River, and two years later removed to Harris - 
burg, where he remained until in 1821, then settled 
near the present village of Fairview. 

About the same year (1821) Robert and Matthew 
Hastings and Richard Nash settled in the northern 
part of the township. Matthew died in 1881, aged 
seventy-six years. It is said that he and Mr. Nash 
when young were engaged in boating on the Ohio 
River. 

Andrew Nelson, a native of Maine, located here 
in 1821. 

John Rees, Sr., grandfather of Justice and H. C, 
now residents of the county, from Greene County, 
Penn., settled here in 1821; also a married son, John, 
located here. 

About the same year came Robert McCrory, Sr., 
a native of County Antrim, Ireland, from whence 
he emigrated to America, landing at Baltimore in 
1812. Several of this name and family came at or 
about the same period. 

Not far from this date also came Samuel Knot, 
Abraham Kinder, from Virginia, and Samuel and 
George Heizer from New Jersey. All located south- 
east of Fairview village. 

In 1825 Ellis D. McConnell settled in the north 
part of the township. 

In 1828 James, a brother of E. D. McConnell, 
located here, coming here from Brown County, Ohio. 
In 1824 John Thrasher and family emigrated 
from Pendleton County, K^., and settled just across 
the line in Rush County, yet was closely identified 
with the history of Fairview Township. A son, Hon. 



228 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



W. W. Thrasher, now a resident of the village of Fair- 
view, in 1831 and 1832 purchased land where he now 
resides of John Wallace, who had located there, hav- 
ing come from Delaware. Mr. Thrasher has cleared 
some 300 acres of land. 

In 1820 Thomas Keaten, a native of Maryland, 
located in the township. 

Another of the early settlers who resided just 
over the Rush County line, though closely identified 
with the early history of the western part of this 
county, was Robert Grove, a Kentuckian. 

Another was Garrett Wykoff, who came from New 
Jersey in 1822. He owned land on both sides of the 
dividing line between the two counties, yet his house 
was located in Rush County. 

About this time, or perhaps a little later, the Jeff- 
reys, Jeremiah and William, from the State of New 
York, located east of Fairview Village. 

A number of the Moffitts in 1822 located in the 
township. The Moffitts were natives of Ireland, and 
had early settled in Pennsylvania, thence in Ohio, 
thence to this locality. 

In 1825 Josiah Piper and family located in the 
vicinity of where Falmouth now stands. Mr. Piper 
still resides on the land. 

The Dickeys, Hugh and William, emigrating from 
Kentucky, located in about 1825 in the northern tier 
of sections. 

East of the Dickeys settled the Baker brothers, 
John and David, who were also Kentuckians, and in 
that vicinity Drury Tyner was another of the pio- 
neers of Fairview. 

Ross Smily was another of the pioneer settlers. 
He had located quite early further east in what is 
now Union County, where he figured conspicuously 
before locating in this township. 

William Lear, Collin Banister, Jacob Ashpaw, 
John Hawkins, Samuel Shortridge, James Runnells, 
John Rees, G. Saxon, Zachariah Parish and the Jacks 
were pioneers of this locality. 

There being no roads, these early settlers were 
obliged to cut out the undergrowth to reach their 
prospective homes. The. Pipers resided by the side 
of a large poplar tree that had fallen, for some time, 
until their cabin was built and ready for occu- 
pancy. They were compelled to carry water for fam- 
ily use about three-quarters of a mile, and the only 
vessel they had for the purpose was a five- gallon keg. 
They were so distant from neighbors as to be barely 
able to hear the bark of their dogs. Frequently 
weeks passed without the wife of this pioneer seeing 
a woman. 

One of the early tan-yards of the township was 
operated on the Jeffrey land by Frank Jeffrey. 

There have been very few mills and distilleries in 



this section. The pioneers and subsequent residents of 
the township have depended upon the mills of neigh- 
boring subdivisions for such conveniences. In about 
1838 or 1840 John Moffitt had in operation a saw- 
mill on Williams Creek and on the Nelson land. At 
the same time just below this mill and on the Wal- 
lace land was a saw-mill which had been built by 
Joshua Wallace. There has been no grist-mill, we 
believe, in the township. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first schoolhouse erected in the township, we 
are informed by Uncle Samuel Little, stood a half 
mile east of Moffitt's Crossing, built in 1825, and was 
then in the third district of Orange Township. Mr. 
Little says "it was built of round logs, afterward 
hewed down; clap-board roof; no chimney, but a 
stone tire-place in the center of the puncheon floor; a 
flue built of sticks and mortar, rested on six-foot posts; 
the tire being in the center of the house all parts of 
the room were heated equally. The crevices of the 
house were closed with mortar except those fronting 
the writing-desks, where they were enlarged to fur- 
nish light, which was admitted through greased paper 
which was pasted to frames fitted to those apertures." 
The first school in this house was taught in the fall 
of 1826 by Jonas Price. 

The first schoolhouse for the settlement in the 
neighborhood of where Fairview Village now is stood 
over the Rush County line at the grave-yard. Mr. 
Piper informs us that this house was built about 1824 
for a meeting-house on ground given for the purpose 
by Robert Groves. The building was used for both 
church and school purposes. About the year 1825 a 
Mr. Noble was teaching here. 

Probably two years later (1827) a schoolhouse was 
built on the Jeffrey land in which school was first 
taught by Thomas Dawson. 

About the year 1829 a schoolhouse stood in the 
northern part of the township in which, at that time, 
John Legg was keeping school. Later in the same 
building a Mr. McClure taught a school. 

At Fairview, but just over the line in Rush 
County, is located an academy building, which was 
erected in 1848 by general subscription of that sec- 
tion of the county for miles around. The object was 
to establish a school in which would be taught the 
higher branches, then not taught in the common dis- 
trict schools. Among those most instrumental in 
establishing the school were Dr. Ephraim Clifford, 
W. W. Thrasher, William Shawhan, Rev. H. R. 
Pritchard, Rev. George Campbell, John Campbell, 
John Thrasher, Donovan Groves and G. B. Rush. 
The first Board of Trustees of the institution was G. 
B. Rush, John M. Shawhan, G. Wykoff, James Han- 



m 4 • 











^O^^'C^J^^l -yi-i^-ia^ty^yLC^^^ 



HISTORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. 



229 



nah and Ephraim Jeffrey. The building, which is of 
brick, was erected by Josiah Smith at a cost of 
13,500. 

Prof. A. K. Benton, a graduate of Bethany College, 
West Virginia, opened the first school in the building, 
and taught for a period of probably ten years, during 
which time he conducted a first-class school. He 
resigned to accept a Greek professorship in the 
Northwestern University at Indianapolis, which chair 
he still occupies. Other instructors have been Profs. 
Hull, of Hiram, Ohio; Rev. Daniel Van Bus- 
kirk, William Thrasher, Walter Campbell, Bowen, 
Piercy and others. The institution has been under 
the control of the Christian Church. Scholars have 
been in attendance at this school from the States of 
Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Ohio and New York. 

CHURCHES AND GRAVE-YARDS. 

On the Rush Couutyside of the line, nearly oppo- 
site Fairview Village, is located a frame building 
which has for many years been the house of worship 
of the Methodist families of that vicinity. On the 
the same site, as early as 1824, a log meeting-house 
was erected by this denomination which was used for 
both church and school purposes. The ground upon 
which it stood was deeded to the Trustees of the 
society, probablyas early as 1822, in addition to some 
surrounding it, for religious and burial purposes, by 
Robert Grroves. The ground then deeded was one acre, 
to which have since been added, deeded by W. W. 
Thrasher, at different times, several acres, until now 
there are included at the cemetery and church-yard some 
four or five acres. This, in recent years, has been 
laid out into lots and made a most beautiful place of 
burial, which is dotted over with evergreens and 
many elegant and costly monuments, that would be a 
credit to more pretentious cemeteries. Here lie sleep- 
ing the remains of many of the pioneers of the 
region of the country for many miles around, among 
them a number of the early settlers of the western 
part of Fayette County. Among those who lived to 
a ripe old age in the vicinity interred here are: 

William McCarty, died in 1874, aged eighty-six 
years; Theresa McCarty, died in 1877, aged eighty- 
three years; Ephraim Jeffrey, born in 1817, died in 
1883; William Jeffrey, died in 1862, aged eighty- 
four years; Abraham Baker, died in 1842, aged 
seventy-eight years; Robert Groves, died in 1855, 
aged ninety-one years (a Revolutionary soldier); 
Martha, his wife, died in 1855, aged eighty-nine 
years (from the tombstone it appears that this couple 
lived together sixty-seven years); Ross Smiley, died 
in 1878, aged ninety years; Josiah Thrasher, died in 
1849, aged eighty-six years; Robert Hastings, died 
in 1859, aged ninety-four years; Isabella Hastings, 



died in 1847, aged eighty-three years; Samuel Isles, 
a Revolutionary soldier, died in 1842, aged one hun- 
dred and two years. 

This place of burial has been extensively used for 
upward of sixty years, and is the only grave-yard of 
any size in that section of the county. The oldest 
grave marked by a tombstone is that of Petro Rush, 
who died October 24, 1824 (born in 1776). The first 
burial here is thought to have been made in the spring 
of 1824, a child of John Smith, in March of that 
year. 

The Fairview Christian Church, which too stands 
just over the line (west) dividing the counties of Rush 
and Fayette, was organized in 1843 with a member- 
ship of forty, prominent among whom were William 
Shawhan and family, John Thrasher and family, 
W. W. Thrasher and family, Josiah Piper and fam- 
ily, Jacob Parish and family, John Bates and fam- 
ily, and Samuel Shortridge and family. The first 
house of worship was a frame, and was erected in 
1844, which was replaced in 1872 by the present neat 
and substantial brick edifice, which has a cupola and 
bell. Among the pioneer pastors of the church were 
Revs. Arthur Miller, Bird Byfield, John O'Kane, John 
Longley, Houshour, John P. Thompson, Benjamin 
Reeves, Peter Wiles and Jacob Daubenspeck. 

VILLAGES. 

The little hamlet or village of Fairview is situated 
in the western part of the township and is comprised 
of a little cluster of neat dwellings just east of the 
highway forming the division line between Rush and 
Fayette Counties. The inhabitants now number 
probably 100, who are a moral and religious people, 
never having permitted liquor sold in the village and 
have for years had two churches nearly within a 
" stone's throw." The people are supplied with one 
grocery and the " village smith" is there. 

Fairview was laid out on the land of W. W. 
Thrasher, and the first house of the village was a 
hewed log one built not far from 1828 by William 
Powers. The first merchant of the place was John 
McClure. He was followed by Birdsall & Co., in 
about 1835. The successor to this firm was William 
Moffitt. Of the early blacksmiths were a Mr. Van 
valkenburg, followed by Brown & Bros, and this firm 
by William Irvin. 

Falmouth is a village of two counties located in 
the northwestern part of the township on either 
side of the road dividing Rush and Fayette Counties. 
It was surveyed July 24, 1832, by Thomas Hinkson 
— laid off on land belonging to James and Elijah 
Patterson and Patrick McCann. That portion lying 
east of Madison Street is in Fayette County and that 
west of the same street is in Rush County. Additions 



230 



HISTORY OF PAYETTE COUNTY. 



were made to the place in 1838 by Ed L. McGee, 
Stephen Isles and Jeremiah Jeffrey. The greater por- 
tion of the village is in Rush County. 

The first house on the Fayette County side was 
erected by William Smith. Early merchants were P. 
Shawhan, William Stewart, and John Birdsall. John 
Crane was the early blacksmith. His dwelling was 
in Payette County, but the shop was in Rush. An 
early cabinet-maker, who had a turning- lathe and 
manufactured chairs, tables, bureaus,etc., was Jno.Oarr. 

Falmouth is a station on the Jeffersonville, Mad- 
ison & Indianapolis Railroad, whose depot is in Fay- 
ette County. The inhabitants probably number 150 
and on the Fayette County side are located a drug- 
store, a dry- goods store, a cabinet making and under- 
taking shop, and one carpenter shop. 



HALF-CENTURY CITIZENS. 

The following list of names was given in 1879 as 
those who had been residents of the county fifty years 
or upward: Josiah Piper and wife, Isaac Powell and 
wife, John Baker, David Baker, Daniel Baker and 
wife, John Parrish and wife, Hiram Jeffrey and wife, 
Charles Shortridge and wife.Ephraim Jeffrey and wife, 
W. W. Thrasher and wife, William Brown and wife, 
Ezekiel Parrish and wife, William Irvin and wife, 
Thomas Smiley and wife, Jesse Shortridge and wife, 
Matthew Hastings and wife, James McConnell and 
wife, Elias McConnell and wife. Justice Reese and 
wife, Frank Bilby and wife, Richard Nash, Andrew 
Moffitt. 




BIOGRAPHIES. 



CONNERSYILLE CITY. 



DAVID W. ANDRE, retired druggist and phar- 
macist, Connersville, is a native of Pennsylvania, 
born in Lebigh County, April 26, 1836, and is 
descended from a prominent Alsatian family. His 
father, Nicholas Andre (known in the records of 
Maschweiler and Rischweiler, at Maschweiler, Alsace, 
as George Jacob), was a son of George Jacob Andre, 
who for many years held a prominent sinecure in that 
Province lapon the civil list of France- He entered 
the birth of Nicholas Andre upon the records the day 
following his birth (February 21, 1806,) as George 
Jacob, but subsequently had it changed to Nicholas. 
He married Louisa Weber, of Winschberg, Alsace, 
who was born June '27, 1812, and died here Janu- 
ary 31, 1883, followed by her esteemed husband 
November 8, 1884. They are buried in Connersville 
Cemetery, the family burial place. They came to 
America in 1832 and located in Lehigh County, 
Penn., and in 1855 removed to Indiana. The subject 
of this sketch is prominent in the list of Connerville's 
representative men, and is in fact a "self-made man." 
He acquired a good rudimentary education in the 
public schools and applied it to teaching, in which 
profession he was very successful. January 1, 1857, 
he entered upon the study of pharmacy at Brookville 
with D. V. Johnson, where he remained till the begin- 
ning of 1858 in close application to that study. 
Leaving there he went to Indianapolis, where he com- 
pleted it. Returning to Brookville he entered the store 
of John King as clerk, with whom he remained in 
reputable connection till 1860, when he engaged with 
S. H. Heshour, of Cambridge City, Ind., and clerked 
for him three years. In 1863 be returned to Brook- 
ville and embarked in business for himself (buying 
out D. V. Johnson), which he successfully carried on 
till 1868, when he retired from business there and 
came to Connersville and opened a drug business Sep- 
tember 1, 1868, with which he continued in active 
connection till 1881. Since coming here he has taken 
a very prominent part in the encouragement and sup- 



port of many of Connersville' s important industries, 
and has always lent a helping hand to the building up 
of social institutions. Mr. Andre has always prized 
his citizenship here as well as elsewhere, and although 
liberal in sentiments, he is an ardent champion of 
principles which he considers upright and honest. 
In this he is frank, outspoken and free in his expres- 
sions, characteristics by which he is well known and 
esteemed by both friend and foe, which probably 
rendered him more eminently fitted to succeed in 
business, and gathered around him substantial 
friends. Upon the breaking out of the late Civil war 
Mr. Andre enlisted his sympathies with the Union 
cause, and subsequently took very active measures in 
the enrollment and organization of the Nineteenth 
Indiana Battery of Artillery, and was unanimously 
elected to the First Lieutenancy, but through the 
interposition of Gov . Morton he was refused recog- 
nition, although this battery made urgent appeals in 
his behalf. He, however, modestly retired from the 
bellicose arena, and although his pride as a Union 
citizen was humbled, he subsequently contributed to 
the general support of the army. He was married 
December 13, 1864, to Rebecca A. King, a lady of 
able attainments, a graduate to an honorary literary 
course of study at Brookville College. She was born 
in Ohio, June 3, 1844. Her father, John King, was 
born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1820; hermother, Sarah 
(Barcus) King, was a native of Maryland. Mr. and 
Mrs. Andre are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
In 1876 our subject found Connersville without an 
opera house, so the same year he built a new one 
known as the Andre Opera House, of which he is pro- 
prietor and manager. He is at present Vice-Presi- 
dent of the German Benevolent Society, of which he 
has been an active member some years. He has been an 
active Odd Fellow for the past twenty-seven years, and 
has held prominent official positions in that society, 
of which he is still an esteemed and honored member. 
JOHN L. BAILEY, dealer in dry goods, notions, 



232 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



clothing, groceries and agricultural implements, also 
farm and garden seeds, etc, etc. ,609 Central Avenue, 
Connersville. This old veteran was born in Bucks 
County, Penn., January 19, 1822. Being raised on 
a farm he received only a common school education. 
In 1837 he left horne and began selling goods seven 
miles from Philadelphia. In 1838 he moved to Mil- 
ford, N. J., where he remained in business for 
six years. In 1844 he emigrated to Tiffin, Ohio, 
where he continued in general merchandising up to 
1850. After two years' rest he cast anchor in Con- 
nersville, Ind., and opened his present business, 
which has prospered under his careful management. 
In 1874 he branched out by taking part in the organ- 
ization of the coffin factory, retaining one-third inter- 
est, and was chosen Secretary and Treasurer of the 
institution (acting for about two years), which 
employed about fifty men and prospered until May, 
1879, when, in two hours, fire closed out the business 
with a loss of about eighty thousand dollars, seventy 
per cent of which was clear loss to the company. 
Mr. Bailey was married in Republic, Ohio, May 30, 
1850, to Miss Martha A. Hart, a native of Ohio. By 
this union two children were born: Emma and 
Charles, latter now in business at Rushville, Ind. 
Our subject's wife died December 31, 1854, and he 
then married, June 1, 1856, Miss Kate F. Scott, a 
native of Connersville, born in September, 1836, by 
whom he has one child, Mary L. , wife of W. H. 
Vandegrift, division Superintendent of the Toledo & 
St. Louis Railway, located at Toledo. Mr. Bailey 
was a member of the School Board two years. He is 
a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment. 

CHARLES A. BALLE, Connersville, is a native 
of this county, born in 1858. He is a son of George 
and Mary (Rieder) Balle, natives of Lorraine, France, 
and Baden, Germany, respectively. His father was 
born in 1815, and at the age of twenty one entered 
the army of his sovereign, Louis Phillipe, remaining 
in the service thirteen years. In 1846 he married 
Mary Rieder, and by her had six children: Charles 
A., Mary (of the Annunciation), Caroline E., John V., 
Josephine F. and George William, the last four 
being deceased. Mr. Balle emigrated to America 
with his family in 1853, and located at Lawrence- 
burg, Ind., where he resided about one year, and then 
moved to Connersville, where he has since remained. 
Charles A., our subject, grew up in Connersville, and 
was educated in its public schools. In 1877 he went 
to Cincinnati, where he learned the tailoring trade, 
being engaged there till 1882 in the employ of Peter 
Meyer. In August of the latter year he came to Con- 
nersville and opened a merchant tailoring establish- 
ment in the Huston Hotel building, where he has 
since conducted a successful business. He carries a 



full stock of both foreign and domestic cloths in cas- 
simeres, worsteds, etc., and well merits the liberal 
patronage which he is receiving. 

DEWIT C. BANES, of the firm H. G. & D. C. 
Banes, dealers in boots and shoes. No. 409 Central 
Avenue, Connersville, is a native of Indiana, born 
in Fraaklin County, October 4, 1848; son of Jenks 
G. and Naomi Banes, the former born in Bucks 
County, Penn., the latter in Maryland. They came 
to Indiana in 1840 and followed general merchandis- 
ing. The subject of this sketch received a common 
school education and was reared in the store. April 
1, 1881, he opened a shoe store in this city; prior to 
this he traveled for ten years for Shipley Crane & 
Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio. January 11, 1881, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Hattie G. Grout, who 
was born in New York, March 9, 1853, and to this 
union one child was born — Ruble I. Mr. Banes is a 
member of Warren Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M. ; also 
of Maxwell Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., and of the 
U. O. of H. 

WILLIAM H. BECK, pioneer clothier and tailor 
of Connersville, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., July 
30, 1818; in early life he received a common school 
education and was brought up to the occupation of a 
tailor. His father, David Beck, was born in Lan- 
caster County, Penn., December 18, 1792, and was 
married in Pittsburgh, Penn., September 30, 1817, to 
Catharine Harb, who was born in Baltimore, in 1801. 
May 2, 1820, they moved to Connersville, Ind., where 
she died September 15, 1822, after which David Beck 
was twice married. By the three marriages nine 
children were born, five of whom, also his three wives, 
died before his decease. The surviving children are 
William H., by the first wife; David and Josephine 
by the second; and N. J. by the third. The father 
resided upon the same premises from 1821 until his 
death, which occurred September 21, 1872. Our sub- 
ject opened up a tailor shop in Falmouth, October, 
1841. He was married, February 22, 1843, to Miss 
Christiana Skillman, a native of New Jersey, born 
October 20, 1820. By this union two children were 
born: Samuel W. and Charles D. Mr. Beck was 
elected County Treasurer in 1852, and came to Con- 
nersville in the spring of 1853; was re-elected in 
1854, and filled both terms with pleasure and credit 
to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the peo- 
ple. In 1856 he opened up his present enterprise, 
the firm being then Beck Bros. In 1868 he closed 
out and built the corner block in which he is now 
doing business. In 1869 he opened up again with 
his son, and sold out to his brother in 1870, with the 
view of leading a retired life; in 1873 he re-embarked 
in active business life. Mr. Beck manufactures and 
keeps in stock clothing, gents' furnishing goods, 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



233 



hats, caps, etc., etc. In 1869, when Connersville 
passed under city government, Mr. Beck was chosen 
by a popular vote first Mayor of the city. In 1870 
he was re-elected, served eight months and then 
resigned. He served upon the School Board for 
over eleven years. He is a member of the Regular Bap- 
tist Church. 

LUNSFOED L. BROADDUS, attorney, real 
estate and insurance agent, Connersville, is a native 
of Washington Township, Wayne Co., Ind., where 
he was born January 27, 1856, and from whence he 
removed with his parents to Harrison Township, this 
county and State, in 1857. He is a son of Hon. 
Warner H. Broaddus, one of the substantial citizens 
of the county, and a grandson of Capt. Robert L. 
Broaddus, a leading pioneer of eastern Indiana, who, 
in the year 1822, came from Virginia to the White- 
water country, locating on the Broaddus homestead 
in this county, where ho engaged in farming until 
his death, which occurred in the spring of 1857. The 
parents of our subject, Hon. Warner H. and Amanda 
E. (Scott) Broaddus, are natives of Fayette and 
Wayne Counties, Ind., respectively. They were mar- 
ried in 1847, and to them have since been born five 
children, of whom Lunsford L. is second in age. Our 
subject, after the usual primary instruction given 
in the district schools, furthered his education at 
Spiceland Academy and completed it at the Indiana 
State University. After leaving the University, hav- 
ing in the meantime had some experience as a teacher, 
he was engaged as Superintendent of the Milton pub- 
lic schools, Wayne County, Ind., for one year, after 
which he commenced active preparations for the legal 
profession. He read law under the instruction of 
Hon. B. F. Claypool, of Connersville, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar of the Fayette Circuit Court, Feb- 
ruary 1, 1881. He was immediately thereafter 
appointed Deputy Prosecuting Attorney of Fayette 
County, the duties of which office he discharged until 
he was elected Township Trustee of Connersville 
Township in April, 1882. He was re-elected to this 
office in 1884. April 13, 1881, he was united in mar- 
riage with a descendant of another pioneer family of 
this county, Miss Sarah C. Powell, daughter of the 
late Zenos and Lydia (Caldwell) Powell, of Har- 
rison Township, this county and State. To them 
has been born one child — Sadie Merle. Mr. Broad- 
dus is a member of the Greek Literary Fraternity of 
Sigma Chi, and of the U. O. of H. 

MICHAEL C. BUCKLEY, retired, Connersville, 
a truly self-made man, was born in County Cork, Ire- 
land, March 20, 1840, and had only a common school 
education. His parents, Dennis and Elizabeth 
(Dorgan) Buckley, were natives of Ireland and immi- 
grated to America in the spring of 1852, locating in 



Hamilton County, Ohio, where they now reside, lead- 
ing a retired life. Mr. Buckley left home in the 
spring of 1862, and took up his abode in Conners- 
ville, clerking six years for Mr. Groff. In 1868 he 
branched out in business for himself, continuing for one 
year; then formed a partnership with J. W. Ross in 
the grocery trade. At the expiration of two years he 
purchased his partner's interest, and continued up to 
August, 1883, at which time he retired from the 
business arena. All through Mr. Buckley's business 
experience he was an extensive and successful spec- 
ulator in real estate. He now owns the Buckley 
House, which is favorably known by the commercial 
public as a home retreat. He also has, by his own 
industry and economy, secured many fine residences 
in the city, which enables him to live in ease and 
affluence. Our subject was married. May 23, 1867, to 
Miss Susan K., daughter of Josiah Muliikin. By this 
union have been born the following children: Mabel 
E., born January 5, 1871; Frank, born August 4, 
1873; Jessie, born September 21, 1876, died June 
19, 1877; Stella Marie, born July 27, 1884. Mr. 
Buckley is a member of the Catholic Church; his 
wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

EDMUND W. BURK, one of the leading grocers 
of Connersville, was born in this county in 1841. 
His father, Naham Burk, was a native of Windsor, 
Vt. His grandparents, Jonathan and Gracia (Cady) 
Burk, were natives of Vermont and New Hampshire re- 
spectively; the former of whom came West about 1817, 
and was last heard of at Galena, 111., the family still 
being in ignorance in regard to his mysterious disap- 
pearance. Naham Burk was born in 1814. He 
learned the trades of painting and chair-making in 
his native town, where he grew to maturity. He then 
spent a few years in the Southern States, and in 1836 
came to Connersville. He followed his trades here 
as long as they were profitable, and then embarked 
in the stove and tinware business, which he continued 
about twenty years. He next opened a general store, 
and this he successfully conducted for about twenty- 
five years. In 1881 ill health compelled him to retire 
from active business. He has held several positions 
of public trust in Connersville, and been instrumen- 
tal in building up many of its interests in the matter 
of school houses, fire apparatus, cemeteries, etc. Mr. 
Burk was married in 1839 to Edith Wilson, of 
Franklin County, Ind., and daughter of William W. 
and Jane (Dixon) Wilson. Their three children are 
Edmund \V., Henrietta and Florence T. Edmund 
W., the subject of our sketch, was reared to manhood 
in his native town, where he obtained a practical edu- 
cation in the public schools. His first business vent- 
ure was a general store in the village of Fairview, 
where he remained about one year. He then returned 



234 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



to Connersville and entered the dry goods trade with 
his father, with whom he was associated about three 
years. March 4, 1874, he opened a grocery and pro- 
vision store on his own resources, and in 1881 admit- 
ted George Morris as a partner, the firm being then 
known as Burk & Morris. January 1, 1885, Mr. 
Burk bought out Mr. Morris' interest in the grocery 
business — one of the leading establishments of the 
kind in Connersville — and assumed control himself. 
He conducts an extensive business. Mr. Burk was 
married in 1870 to Julia A., daughter of Enoch 
Harlan, one of the pioneers of this county. Four 
children blessed this union: N. H., Florence M., 
Charles E. (deceased) and Mary Gracia. Mrs. Biuk 
died April 0, 1881. Mr. Burk's present wife was 
Miss Kate A. Dolph, daughter of Rev. E, L. Dolph, 
D. D., and to whom he was married October 10, 1882. 
Her father was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1826, 
and is a son of E. E. Dolph, a prominent educator 
in that city. Her mother was Isabel A. Ault, who 
was born in Boone County, Ky., June 25, 1848, a 
daughter of Frederick and Nancy (Haynes) Ault, res- 
idents of Jefifersonville, Ind. Mr. Burk is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs of 
his lodge. He and Mrs. Burk are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, and both have a high social 
standing in the community. 

DANIEL W. BUTLER, physician and surgeon, 
office corner of Fifth Street and Eastern Aveaue, 
Connersville, is a native of Indiana, and was born 
in Hancock County, July 4, 1837. He was raised on 
a farm, and graduated at Earlham College, Rich- 
mond, Ind., in 1857. His father, George W. Butler, 
was born in Virginia, March 20, 1818, and resides in 
Fairmount, Grant Co., Ind. His mother, Martha 
(Rawls) Butler, was born in Virginia, September 29, 
1814, and died May 13, 1880. At the age of nine- 
teen the Doctor left the farm and taught school, and 
at the same time studied medicine under Dr. Allen 
Hall. He graduated from the Miami Medical Col- 
lege of Cincinnati, in the spring of 1860; commenced 
practice at Greenfield, Ind., his native town, and con- 
tinued until the spring of 1862, when he enlisted in 
Company G, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, as a private; was 
promoted Assistant Surgeon December 11, 1862, and 
commissioned Surgeon of the regiment in 1863. At 
the close of the war he located at Dunreith, Henry 
Co., Ind., where he practiced until April 15, 1876, 
at which time he moved to Connersville, where he 
has been engaged in active practice ever since. In 
January, 1883, the Doctor was elected Health OfiScer 
of Fayette County, aud re-elected in 1884. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., Subordinate and En- 
campment. 

WILLIAM H. CASWELL, Superintendent West- 



ern Hosiery Mills, Connersville, was born in Conners- 
ville, September 13, 1848, and had the benefit of a 
good education. His father, Luther R. Caswell, was 
born in Auburn, Me., March 16, 1813. and died 
March 27, 1879. He was made a Mason in War- 
ren Lodge, No. 15, Connersville, lud., iu 1847. In 
his death the community lost a just and upright citi- 
zen, the family a kind and affectionate father aud 
husband, and the lodge a worthy and honorable mem- 
ber, a firm devotee to the principles of Free Masonry 
Our subject was raised in a woolen mill, and served 
in all departments, being apprenticed with Elisha 
Cockefair to the trade, at the age of twelve years. He 
married, December 25, 1872, Miss Mary Holingsworth, 
a native of Wayne County, this State, born in Feb- 
ruary, 1850, and to this union two bright children 
have been born: Homer and Edna. Mr. Caswell is 
a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Methodist 
Church. 

JOSHUA CHIT WOOD, physician and sm-geon, 
office on Court Street, residence southwest corner 
Western Aveuue and Sixth Street, Connersville, is a 
native of Union County, Ind., born February 12, 
1838. He received a thorough English course at 
Oldenburg Academy. His parents moved to Fayette 
County in the fall of 1849, locating in Connersville. 
In 1856 the subject of this sketch began reading 
medicine under his father, George R. Chitwood, M. 
D. , a native of Ohio, and attended lectures at Jliami 
Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, then Ohio Medi- 
cal College, graduating in 1859. He began the prac- 
tice of medicine in 1858. Dr. Chitwood was married 
twice, his first wife being Miss Libbie W. Beck, who 
died about one year after marriage. He then married 
Miss Sophia Frybarger, a native of this county, born 
September 13, 1843. On November 13, 1863, he was 
appointed First Assistant Surgeon of Seventh Indi- 
ana Cavalry, serving six months, until May 5, 1864, 
when he was promoted to Surgeon; was with Gen. 
Pleasanton, of Missouri, iu his campaign against Gen. 
Price in the fall and winter of 1864; thence to Nash- 
ville, Tenn., on the staff of Gen. Knipe, Seventh Di- 
vision of Cavalry in Gen. Wilson's corps, which took 
a prominent part in the battle of Nashville; thence 
to Mobile, and was present at its downfall. By 
special order of Gen. Canby, he was sent to New 
Orleans to Major-Gen. West, as staff officer; after- 
ward, by special request of Gen. Tom Browne, he 
was returned to his regiment at Alexandria, La., 
where he was made Medical Director on Gen. Custer's 
staff, serving Uncle Sam nearly one year after the 
close of the war. The Doctor is a Royal Arch Mason; 
a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he 
was elected Trustee, January, 1884. He was elected 
Councilman from First Ward in May, 1883; was 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



235 



elected in a Republican Ward over a popular Repub- 
lican by fifty majority. The Doctor enjoys good 
health. He has a lucrative practice. 

BENJAMIN F. CLAYPOOL, lawyer, Conners- 
ville, was born in Connersville, Ind., December 12, 
1825; son of Newton and Mary (Kerns) Claypool, 
natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and of 
Irish and Welsh extraction. Newton Claypool be- 
came an early resident of Connersville, figuring prom- 
inently in its history and that of the county (fur- 
ther notice of him will be found in the history prop- 
er of the city), and our subject resided here until 
1836, at which time, his parents moving to a farm 
one mile north (now the home of A. B. Claypool), he 
there lived until he entered college in 1843, having 
in the meantime received instruction in the old semi- 
nary, under the guidance of Harvey Nutting, who, in 
addition to the usual branches taught in such schools, 
gave lessons in the French and Latin languages. 
These advantages Mr. Claypool improved, and being 
fond of the Latin language, he became quite profi 
cient in it before going to college. He entered Asbury 
University at Greencastle, Ind., in 1843. He pursued 
a course in the classics and Belles-lettres which was 
completed two years later. In 1845 our subject, en- 
tering the office of the late Hon. O. H. Smith, at In- 
dianapolis, read law under that gentleman, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1847. In the same year he lo- 
cated in the city of his nativity, where he commenced 
practice. By study and close application to business 
he soon took rank with the foremost lawyers of 
Whitewater bar, then represented by some of the 
most brilliant in the State. From that time to the 
present he has maintained the position attained, and 
during the long period has been engaged in many of 
the important cases tried at the Fayette courts. It 
is only justice to Mr. Claypool to here state that he 
is not only the oldest resident member of the bar, but 
the most prominent. Until the organization of the 
Republican party he was identified with the Whigs, 
since which time he has affiliated with the former, 
lu 1856 he was a delegate to the National Conven- 
tion at Philadelphia that nominated John G. Fre- 
mont; in 1864 he was a Presidential elector in the 
Fifth Congressional District; and in 1868 one of the 
Electors for the State at large. In 1860 he was elect- 
ed State Senator for the counties of Fayette and 
Union, and as such served during the exciting times 
of the Rebellion, favoring at all times a vigorous 
prosecution of the war. He is an earnest, forcible 
speaker at the bar and on the stump, one of decided 
convictions, and fearless in the expression of them. 
For several years prior to the close of the branch of 
the State Bank at Connersville, ]\Ii-. Claypool served 
as its President, and was subsequently President of 



the First National Bank of the same city, from its 
organization until 1873. In 1874 he was the Repub- 
lican nominee for Congress in the Fifth District, but 
was defeated. On August 4, 1853, our subject was 
married to Alice Helm, a daughter of Jefferson Helm, 
M. D., of Rush County, and to this union were born 
a son and daughter. 

SAMUEL M. COOK, proprietor of the Buckley 
House, corner of Fifth and Eastern Avenue, Conners- 
ville, was born in Chester County, Penn., October 24, 
1886; son of George W. and Elizabeth (Walker) 
Cook, the former born in Baltimore, Md., in 1810, 
the latter in York County, Penn., in 1812. They 
moved to Indiana in 1857, locating in Madison 
County, where Mr. Cook died in 1861 ; his widow now 
resides in Huntsville, Madison Co., Ind. Our sub- 
ject had a good common school education, acquiring 
same by close application to books at night, denying 
himself enjoyment with playmates in order to store 
his mind with useful knowledge, which he imparted 
to others, as teacher, when nineteeeu years of age, an 
avooation he followed for some time. He was mar- 
ried January 2, 1862, to Miss Lydia E. Nicholson, 
who was born in Madison County, Ind., October 9, 
1840, daughter of George and Susannah (Brown) 
Nicholson, the former of whom was born in Clinton 
County, Ohio, August 13, 1817, died January 13, 
1879. The latter was born in Mason County, Va., Jan- 
uary 9, 1820. They were married November 21, 
1839, and located in Madison County. The widow 
and Miss Eva make their homo with Mr. and Mrs. 
Cook. To our subject and wife were born two sons: 
Charles W. and George E. Mr. and Mrs. Cook 
located in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1863, where the for- 
mer kept a feed store and followed teaming. He 
hauled the iron for the first street railway in the city 
aad also assisted in manufacturing the brick for the 
arsenal. In 1865 they moved to Plaintield, where he 
engaged ia the grocery business, after which he em- 
barked in the manufacture of tile, which enterprise 
not proving satisfactory he branched out into the gro- 
cery and hardware trade with success. In 1876 he 
purchased the Mansion House and with the assistance 
of his accomplished wife kept a comfortable home for 
the traveling public in addition to his other lucrative 
enterprise. In October, 1880, they left Plainfield 
and took up their abode in Danville, where they kept 
the Mansion House and a grocery business until Au- 
gust, 1882, at which time they moved to the city of 
Connersville and took charge of the Buckley House, 
over which they have presided until present writing, 
to the entire satisfaction of their guests. Mr. Cook 
is a member of Plainfield Lodge, No. 287, F. & A. 
M., Chapter No. 87; also Danville Lodge, No. 70, 
I. O. O. F. 



236 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



ALONZO C. COOLEY, of the firm of Cooley & 
Tatman, photographers, No. 522 Central Avenue, 
Connersville, was bora iu Fayette County, Ind., July 
28, 1847. He received a common school education 
and worked at various trades until 1866, when he en- 
gaged in photography, continuing in same until 1872, 
when the present partnership was formed. They 
work in water colors, India ink, and enlarge, guar- 
anteeing satisfaction in all branches. Mr. Cooley was 
married October 10, 1878, to Miss Corie I. White, and 
to this union one child, Eva A., was born July 7, 1879. 

WILLIAM COTTON, Connersville, oue of the 
venerable pioneer workers of this locality, is a native 
of Fraaklin County, Ind. He was born in a block- 
house three miles west of Brookville on the west side 
of the west fork of the Whitewater River, June 14, 
1816. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Cramer) 
Cotton, who were born and reared in Greenville Dis- 
trict. S. C, and here they were married at the ages of 
nineteen years, enjoying each other's society as 
husband and wife sixty-two years, being the parents 
of eleven children. His father was born May 9, 
1787, and his mother April 12 of the same year. 
The gi-andsires on both sides (William Cotton and 
Absalom Cramer) were soldiers of the Revolutionary 
war. Joseph Cotton with hia wife and four children 
came to Indiana in 1816, and located in Franklin 
County, where he remained fourteen years, then 
changed over into Fayette County, where he re- 
mained forty-three years. He was a life-long 
farmer, and died May 8, 1873. Mrs. Cotton passed 
away September 11, 1868. William Cotton, whose 
name heads this sketch, resided with his parents until 
about twenty-two years of age, when he purchased 105 
acres of land in this county and began operations for 
himself. By excessive labor in improving this farm 
and on Whitewater Canal, which was being con- 
structed at that time, he lost his health in two years. 
Having obtained a fair education in the common 
schools, he abandoned the farm and took up the pro- 
fession of teaching, which he continued twenty-one 
years, laying aside his armor in 1861. He read med- 
icine two years (1847 and 1848) with Dr. Kitchen, but 
never practiced. July 25, 1861, he enlisted in the 
Third Indiana Cavalry, Company F, and entered the 
war, serving three years, and participating in some of 
the most important engagements of the entire struggle. 
He enlisted as private and was honorably discharged 
August 31, 1864, as Second Lieutenant, having been 
in the command of a company some time before the 
discharge of the regiment. Es-Gov. Conrad Baker 
was the first Colonel of the Third Indiana Cavalry, 
afterward Col. Scott Carter, of Vevay, who resigned 
in the early part of 1863. Gen George H. Chapman, 
who had been with the regiment soon after its being 



sent out, as Major, was the last Colonel in command 
of the regiment. Maj. William Patton, of Vevay, was 
in command of the regiment at the time of discharsre. 
On his return from the war in the fall of 1864, Mr. 
Cotton was elected Sheriff of the county, and served 
two terms, being chosen County Treasurer for the 
same length of time. In 1873 fiaancial troubles over- 
took him, but, unlike many, not the shadow of equiv- 
ocation was exhibited, while thousands of honest earn- 
ings were absorbed in paying others' debts. In 1878 
he was elected City Marshal of Connersville and 
served two terms, tendering his resignation after a 
third election. After closiag his official career Mr. 
Cotton spent the summer and fall in Arkansas, where 
he purchased lands, and since tliat time has given up 
active business. April 6, 1843, he was married to 
Christiann Goodwise, who died about two and one- 
half years later, leaving one daughter. March 4, 
1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Drusilla 
C. Utter, and in 1854 this wife was also called to her 
eternal rest, leaving two daughters and one son. 
Left with three little daughters and one little son, 
Mr. Cotton was necessitated to break up house keep- 
ing and board. In 1856, while boarding his little 
family, he spent one year in his parents' native State, 
visiting the old plantations and residences where his 
parents were born, roared and married. While there 
he was engaged in his profession, teaching. 
Brother Cotton (as he was called) has been quite un- 
fortunate with his family, having lost by death three 
daughters and one son. He has only one daughter and 
little son living. His present wife was Mrs. Mary F. 
Smith (nee Webb), to whom he was married May 20, 
1874, and by this union were born one daughter and 
one son, the daughter deceased, as heretofore indi- 
cated. Mr. Cotton is a member of the G. A. R. He 
has been associated with the Christian congregation 
since he was twenty-three years of age. He has been 
quite an active worker in local politics, casting his 
vote with the Reiiublicanson all questions of general 
issue, and his long official service is" the best evidence 
to be given as to his personal character as a man, or 
his public character as a citizen. 

WILSON T. DALE, lumber dealer, Connersville, 
was born in Harrison Township, near Harrisburg, Fay- 
ette Co., Ind., October 29, 1824. He was raised on a 
farm and received a common school education. His 
father, Alexander Dale, was born in Westmoreland 
County, Va., February 8, 1786. His mother, Nancy 
(Tyner) Dale, was born in South Carolina, Oc- 
tober 26, 1793. They immigrated to Kentucky 
in a very early day, and the Indians being 
numerous and daagerous, they had to move 
into Craig's Station for safety. They came to this 
county in 1814, where the mother died June 11, 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



237 



1835, and the father October 24, 1854. The subject 
of this sketch was married February 7, 1847, to Char- 
ity Morgan, who was born November 24, 1826, and to 
this union were born two children: Marcus (deceased) 
and Manfred, now in the lumber business with his 
father. In 1854 Mr. Dale moved toConnersville and 
engaged in wagon and carriage- making. During the 
first year of the Rebellion (1861) he made for the 
Government 100 army wagons in six weeks, which 
consumed all his material and necessitated his closing 
up the business. In 1862 he commenced buying and 
selling lumber, at which he has continued ever since, 
lu 1864 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has 
been re-elected four times since, making five terms, 
or twenty years' service withoui cessation, which 
shows conclusively that he enjoys the respect and con- 
fidence of his neighbors and friends. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., Subordinate and Encampment; 
is a member of the Episcopal Church. 

HENRY DEPNER, the enterprising baker of 
Connersville, was born in Germany, September 22, 
1850, son of Christian and Minnie (Branthurst) Dep- 
ner, who were also natives of Germany, where they 
still reside. Mr. Depner was a farmer in his native 
country, and was there educated and reared to man- 
hood. In October, 1871, he emigrated to this country 
and located in Cincinnati, where he learned his trade. 
In 1872 he went to Indianapolis, and here he con- 
tinued his work till 1879, when he established him- 
self in Connersville. He has the leading bakery of 
the place and does a large business in the ice cream, 
confectionery and cigar trade besides. Mr. Depner 
was married in 1875 to Hermenia Berger, a native of 
Germany, and daughter of George and Fredericka 
Berger, residents of Connersville. They have two 
children: Eddie and Amelia. Mr. Depner is a live 
business man and well respected. 

LOUIS DOLL, proprietor of saloon on Fifth 
Street between Eastern and Central Avenues, Con- 
nersville, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 6, 1846, 
and received a common school education. His father, 
Frank Doll, was born in Baden, Germany, April 2, 
1826; his mother, Rosenna (Bumgardner) Doll, was 
a native of Obio. They were married in 1848, and 
had a family of five children, one surviving. Mrs. 
Doll died in 1853, and Mr. Doll married, January 15, 
1861, Helena Eppert, who was born March 10, 1837, 
and by this union were six children, five of whom are 
now living. Louis, the second son of the tirnt set of 
children, came to Connersville in 1851 and worked at 
carriage blacksmithing up to 1870, a trade he learned 
in 1865; then officiated as bar- tender up to 1874, at 
which time he engaged in his present business for 
himself. He was married, May 21, 1874, to Miss 
Eliza Hofherr, a native of Baden, Germany, born 



October 19, 1849, and to this union have been born 
three children: August F., Edward L., Charles J. 
Mr. Doll is a self-made man, having acquired his all 
by industry and economy. He and his family are 
members of the Catholic Church. 

THOMAS DOWNS, of the firm of Down8,Ready 
& Co., Connersville, was born in Lawrenceburg, Ind., 
March 31, 1844, son of Hezekiah and Ruth (Close) 
Downs, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter 
of Indiana. He remained with his parents till six- 
teen years of age, when he enlisted in Company K, 
Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three 
months, at the expiration of which time he re-enlisted 
in the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three 
years. He j)articipated in many of the most impor- 
tant battles, among which were Vicksburg, Arkansas 
Post, and in the Red River Expedition. In 1865 Mr. 
Downs returned home and located in Connersville, 
where he has since resided. He was engaged in the 
carpenter's trade till about 1870, when he began con- 
tracting and building, having been connected with 
the various firms known as Downs & Piersou, Andre, 
Stewart & Co. , Stewart & Downs, Martin, Downs & 
Co., Downs & Wait, and the present firm of Downs, 
Ready & Co., which was organized in 1882, and 
which does an extensive business in contracting and 
building, and in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, 
moldings, cornice, store fronts, etc., employing on an 
average about forty workmen. Mr. Downs was mar- 
ried in 1866 to Mary J., daughter of Jacob and Sa- 
loma Eisemann, natives of Bavaria. Five children 
have blessed this union, viz.: Florence, Susan J., Au- 
gusta, William and George. Mr. Downs is a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican. 
He formerly controled a third interest in the Con- 
nersville Times, but sold out his stock in 1881. He 
has been successful in business, and now ranks with 
the first of the manufacturers of Connersville. 

HE WET T. ELLIS, member of the firm of 
Ellis & McFarlan, livery, feed and sale stables on 
Fifth, between Eastern and Central Avenues, Con- 
nersville, was born in Harrison Township, this 
county, Aiigust 29, 1854, and received a good com- 
mon school education. He farmed up to 1879, then 
was express agent, and clerked for his brother in a 
hardware store. August 29, 1880, he engaged in the 
livery business with Mr. Thomas. January 1, 1881, 
he bought Mr. Thomas out, continuing the business 
alone up to July 19, 1883, when his present partner 
was admitted. The capacity of their stable is 100 
horses. Mr. Ellis was uuited in marriage, February 
8, 1882, with Miss Ida J. Zeller, who was born in 
Connersville July 6, 1857, and by this union there is 
one child — Zeller. Mr. Ellis is a member of Lodge 
No. 31, L O. O. F.; al.so of No. 1, P. O. S. of A. 



238 



BIOGKAPIIIES. 



JOHN FARNER, deceased, late of Connersville, 
one of the most honored of Fayette County's German 
residents, was born in Germany, November 28, 1810. 
His parents were Michael and Christian (Geise) Far- 
ner, with whom he remained till grown to manhood. 
At the age of twenty one years he entered the amiy 
of his sovereign, in whose service he continued live 
years, obtaining an honorable discharge. In 1837 
he immigrated to America, settling in Wheeling, 
Va. ; from thence he went to Madison, Ind., and in 
1842 came to Connersville, where he has since 
resided. He was a stone mason by trade, which ho 
followed many years. He erected the house in which 
he last lived. In 1866 Mr. Farner was elected Coro- 
ner of this county, and his faithfulness in the dis- 
charge of his duty was rewarded by nine successive 
elections to the same position. Mr. Farner was mar- 
ried, in 1830, to Christine Klean, a native of Ger- 
many and daughter of Jacob Klean, and two children 
were born to them: Rosina, who died in childhood, 
and John, who lost his life in the service ot his coun- 
try in the fall of 1865. He was a member of the 
Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and was drowned in 
Bayou McHenry while attempting to ford that body 
of water. Ho was a young man of great promise, 
a brave soldier, and at the time of his death held the 
rank of Sergeant. His untimely end was deeply 
mourned by his parents and friends. Our subject 
died in Connersville, January 16, 1885, in the seventy- 
fifth year of his age. He was a member of and 
Elder in the German Presbyterian Church. In 1844 
Mr. Farner became a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, and has served in most of its offices. He was 
always regarded as a man of sterling integrity, as 
may be known by the public trust which the people 
laid upon him for so many years. For thirty-seven 
years Mr. Farner was the faithful agent of the Cincin- 
nati Volksblatt, a leading German paper of that city. 
Mrs.Farner is a member of the German Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

JOHN H. FATTIG, Connersville, was born in 
Rockingham County, Va., in 1818. His parents, 
Jacob and Frances (Diinna) Fattig, were natives of 
Cumberland County, Penn. They were married in 
that State, and in 1812 moved to Rockingham County, 
Va. Here they resided till 1835, when they moved 
West and located in Henry County, Ind., where the 
mother died in 1838; the father, who survived 
till 1853, died in Iowa while on a visit to friends in 
that State. At the age of eighteen Mr. Fattig left 
home and went to Dayton, Ohio, to engage in work 
in a distillery and in the carpenter's trade. He sub- 
sequently spent some time in Lancaster, Ohio, and 
Brookville, Ind.; returned a short time to Dayton, 
and in 1838 came to this county, where he has since 



resided. In March, 1839, Mr. Fattig was offered a 
home with Joshua Mcintosh, with whom he afterward 
lived during his days of single life, receiving all the 
kind attention an own child could claim from parents. 
He was chiefly engaged as a carpenter till 1882, when 
he erected a store room in Maplewood and embarked in 
mercantile pursuits. About eighteen months later this 
establishment was destroyed by fire, since which time 
Mr. Fattig has not been actively employed. In 1859 he 
spent a summer in the vicinity of Pike's Peak among 
the Rockies, and in 1862 he entered the war as a Sutler. 
On his first day in the field he was captured, but was 
released three days later. He served eight years as 
Constable of this township and four years as Deputy 
Sheriff. Mr. Fattig was married. May 10, 1840, to 
Harriet Cottom, who died in 1846. In 1847 he then 
married Mary Duke, and July 13, 1848, she was 
buried. His present wife was Mary A. Colvin, of 
Xenia, Ohio, to whom he was united October 24, 
1850. Their two children now living are — Samuel 
and Charles. Mr. Fattig is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and is highly respected in the 
community. 

LEWIS W. FLOREA, attorney, of the firm of 
L. W. & G. C. Florea, office over First National Bank, 
in Connersville, was born Febraary 22, 1846, in this 
county, was reared upon a farm, and received a select 
course in Northwestern Christian University at Indi- 
anapolis, Ind. In 1809 he read law under Hon. 
James C. Mcintosh. During 1870 he was admitted 
to the bar, and at once opened an office. Success 
has crowned his every effort, and he enjoys the confi- 
dence of the entire community. In 1873 the above 
partnership was formed, which has continued ever 
since, and is one of the leading law firms of eastern 
Indiana. In 1870 our subject was appointed Dis- 
trict Deputy Prosecutor, a position he held for three 
years. He and his brother are at present attorneys 
for the Whitewater Valley and Fort Wayne, Cincin- 
nati & Louisville Railroads. Mr. Florea was mar- 
ried. May 5, 1870, to Miss E. A Stone, daughter of 
Hon. Charles M. Stone, and who was born June 9, 
1848. By this union Ella M. and Susa K. have been 
born. 

GEORGE C. FLOREA, attorney, Connersville, 
is the junior member of the law firm of L. W. & G. 
C. Florea, whose office is over the First National 
Bank. He is a son of Lewis C. and Eliza (Dale) 
Florea, and was born in Harrison Township, this 
county, June 18, 1848. In 1808 he left the farm, 
and entered school, completing his education at Dela- 
ware, Ohio. He began reading law in the fall of 
1872, afterward read in the office with his brother, 
and was admitted to the biir in the fall of 1873, at 
which time he entered into the general practice of 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



239 



above firm. By strict integrity and close application 
to business their efforts have been crowned with suc- 
cess, as is verified by their large circle of friends 
and patrons, and extensive practice. Mr. Florea was 
married, February 5, 1875, to Miss Almira Edwards, 
daughter of Elmore Edwards, a retired farmer. By 
this union they have been blessed with two children: 
Mamie and Edward. 

WILLIAM C. FORRBY, attorney, Connersville, 
a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Fayette County, 
April 7, 1832, and received a common school educa- 
tion. His parents, Joseph and Charlotte (Stuart) 
Forrey, located in Wayne County, Ind. , in 1833, and 
moved to Waterloo Township, Fayette Coanty, in 
1837. At the age of foitrteen Mr. Forrey engaged as 
clerk in a general store in Waterloo. In 1857 he 
read law under Judge John H. Reed, and was admit- 
ted to the bar in 1861. He officiated as Mayor of 
Connersville seven years; was appointed City Attor- 
ney May 17, 1884. Mr. Forrey was married, in 1853, 
to Miss Anna M. Cole, who was born in Maryland. 
He is a member of Warren Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. 
M., Maxwell Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., and Fayette 
Council, No. 6, R. & S. M., also Connersville Lodge. 
No. 11, K. of P., Uniform Rank. 

PROF. JOSIAH S. GAMBLE, Superintendent 
of Schools of Fayette County, Connersville. This 
courteous and affable gentleman and popular educator 
is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born near the 
village of Oxford, February 27, 1834. He was reared 
to farm life, and received the benefit of such primary 
instruction as it was then customary to give farmers' 
sons, but having a thirst for knowledge with the desire 
of a more extended learning than such as the common 
schools afforded, he, at the age of twenty-five, took 
an academic course, also a normal course at Leb- 
anon, Ohio, and, in 1857, began teaching, since which 
time he has devoted the greater part of his life to 
that profession, giving to the cause of education 
his talents and energy. His experience in the field 
of learning has been varied, having passed as an 
instructor through the common district school, the 
high school, the academy and the college, being a 
professor for one year in Geneva College, then located 
near Bellefontaine, Ohio, and since then near Beaver 
Falls, Penn. In 1875 he was elected County Super- 
intendent of the schools of Fayette, which position 
he has since filled with the ability that had previouslj'^ 
characterized his life in matters of education. The 
Professor's parents were Robert and Jane (Neal) Gam- 
ble, natives of the north of Ireland, born in 1800. 
In 1827 they immigrated to America, locating in 
Preble County, Ohio, where they remained until 
1834, then removed to Fayette County, Ind., where 
they died, the father in April, 1876, and the mother 



in October, 1881. Under Prof. Gamble's careful 
management the schools of the county have been 
brought up to a high standard, second to none in the 
State. Besides the position he occupies in educa- 
tional matters, he is one of the active and enterpris- 
ing business men of Connersville, where he has 
recently built an addition to a fine large brick build- 
ing, in which he is carrying on a first class feed and 
sale stable, and dealing in fine horses. He is also 
engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Gamble was 
united in marriage, April 9, 1884, with Miss Martha 
A. Reed, a native of Greene County, Ohio. Both are 
members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. 

JAMES T. GENTRY, proprietor livery, sale and 
feed stable, Connersville, is a native of Indiana, born 
in Hamilton County, December 12, 1840, and was 
raised on a farm, receiving a common school educa- 
tion in Marion County. His parents, Thomas P. and 
Paulina (Wright) Gentry, natives of North Carolina, 
were married in 1836 and came to Indiana. The sub- 
ject of this sketch enlisted in 1864 in Company I, 
Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving one 
year. March, 1866, he moved to Noblesville, Ind., 
where he engaged in the livery business. Mr. Gen- 
try was married. May 20, 1866, to Miss Lou M. Har- 
ris, of Franklin County, born August 10, 1841. Four 
children were the result of this union: Lena; Frank, 
born April 13, 1870, died October 15, 1871; one 
that died in infancy, and James R. On March 5, 
1875, Mr. Gentry removed to Connersville, where he 
has been engaged in the livery business ever since. 
He is a member of the G. A. R. 

V. H. GREGG, physician and surgeon, Conners- 
ville, was born in Bracken County, Ky., January 
25, 1825, and completed his education in select 
school at Baechy Grove. His parents, Joseph M. 
and Matilda (Hamilton) Gregg, were born in Ken- 
tucky, where the father died in 1838. The widow 
and family came to Indiana in 1844, where our sub- 
ject followed farming. He was married in Fayette 
County, in 1847, to Miss America Justice, daughter 
of Joseph Justice, a pioneer and native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and whose ancestors took part in the Revolu- 
tionary war. Our subject not being contented on the 
farm, read medicine uuder W. W. Taylor, M. D. , 
and began practicing in 1852 at Vienna (now known 
as Glenwood). In 1858 he moved to Connersville, 
where, by strict attention to business, he soon built 
up a large and lucrative practice. In March, 1864, 
he was appointed Surgeon of First Brigade, First 
Division, Twenty- third Army Corps, with rank of 
Major, serving until the close of the war. In 1869 
he was appointed Internal Revenue Assessor and 
served two and a half years. He is a member of the G. 
A. R., Fayette County Medical Society, District Med- 



240 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



ical Society, State Medical Society, and American 
Medical Society. 

PATRICK GRIFFIN, blacksmith, Connersville, 
shop in rear of Thomas' livery stable, where he can 
be found early and late to supply the wants of all 
patrons. Mr. Griffin was born in County Kildare, 
Ireland, March 4, 1834, and received a common school 
education. His father, John Griffin, was born in 
1816; his mother, Catharine (Flanegan) Griffiin, was 
born in County Meath, Ireland. They came to Amer- 
ica in 1853, the mother dying upon the ocean. The 
father located in Raysville, Ind., and died April 16, 
1882. Patrick Griffin came to Connersville in Sep- 
tember, 1856. He had served his time at the black- 
smith trade at Newark, N. J. After working for 
several parties, he engaged in the blacksmithing for 
his own account in 1882, and has prospered. Our sub- 
ject was married, September 14, 1854, to Miss Sarah 
Cm-ran, of Richmond, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Griffiin 
are members of the Catholic Church. 

THEODORE L. GRIFFIS, dry goods merchant, 
Connersville, is doing a prosperous business at 426 
Central Avenue. He was born in Connersville, Octo- 
ber 10, 1826, and received a common school educa- 
tion. His father was born in Pennsylvania near 
Laurel Hill, December 25, 1798; located, in 1818, in 
Connersville, and married, in 1825, Sarah Swift, who 
was born in New Jersey, January 10, 1803. He was a 
saddler and retired from business ten years prior to 
his death, which occurred January 29, 1869. His 
widow died March 16, 1869. From 1837 to 1840 Theo- 
dore L. clerked in a drug store; from 1840 to 1846 
be went to school. In January, 1846, he began clerk- 
ing in a dry goods store for Col. Daniel Hankins. 
January 1, 1851, he formed a partnership, taking 
one-third interest, continuing same until January, 
1859, when the firm was dissolved, since which time 
he has conducted the business by himself. February 
24, 1853, Mr. Griffis married Miss Rachel M. Rogers, 
who was born June 8, 1828. By this union were 
born Horace R., John G., Theodore L. (died July 11, 
1871), Robert M. Mrs. Griffis died March 25, 1866, 
and our subject was married on second occasion, 
June 30; 1875, to Miss Kathleen Reese, a native of 
Missouri, born in 1844. Mr. Griffis is the true type 
of a successful and prosperous business man. 

ORLANDO P. GRIFFITH, member of firm O. 
P. Griffith & Co., dealers in hardware, agricultural 
implements, hubs, spokes, felloes, Moline wagons, 
Columbus buggies, coal, etc., etc.. No. 445 Central 
Avenue and Fifth Street, Connersville, is a native of 
Scott County, Ky., born February 6, 1847; son of 
William B. and Permelia F. (Osborn) Griffith, also 
natives of Kentucky, and who immigrated to Indiana 
December 6, 1862, the father being a retired farmer 



and trader. Our subject received a collegiate course 
at Brookville, Ind. He was married December 23, 
1874, to Miss Jennie M. Parry, born near Laurel, 
Franklin Co., Ind., March 10, 1856, daughter of T. 
J. Parry, who emigrated from Pittsburgh, Penn., in 
January, 1853, and is now leading a retired life in 
Connersville. She had a collegiate course at Oxford, 
Ohio, Female College. This union has been blessed 
with two children: St. Clair and Cora. Our subject 
taught school in the winter and summer of 1869, and 
August 30, same year, he engaged in the hardware 
business with J. A. Hanson. September 24, 1874, he 
purchased his interest and has since devoted a good 
portion of his time to that branch of trade, and, in 
addition to this he is interested in the planing-mill. 
He farms quite extensively, and in that connection is 
engaged in the Shorthorn cattle business, having now 
on his farm a herd of pedigreed cattle of which he 
expects to make a specialty in the future. Being 
reared upon a farm, his education enables him to 
better understand and supply the demands of an 
intelligent community. Owing to his careful and pru- 
dent management in connection with keen percepti- 
bility, all enterprises with which he is interested 
prosper and yield handsome results. Mr. Griffith is 
a R. A. M. He and his estimable wife are members 
of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOSEPH G. GROFF, manufacturer and inventor, 
Connersville, was born in Asbury, Warren Co., N. J., 
February 20, 1820, and is a son of Francis and Sarah 
(Carr) Groflf, natives of New Jersey, the former born 
February 16, 1792, the latter May 15, 1798. In 
1839 they moved over- land to Wheeling, Va., with 
their nine children and one adopted child. At this 
point he secured transportation for his family on 
the steamer "Embassy" to St. Louis, thence to Boon- 
ville. Mo., where he lived for some time. The mias- 
matic influences of an undeveloped country brought 
sickness in his family, and thia, together with general 
dissatisfaction with the country, caused a speedy 
return eastward, and for a short time he "pitched his 
tent" at Lawrenceburg, Ind., where his youngest 
child, Jacob, died. Dissatisfied still with his surround- 
ings and being without prospects, he again " folded 
his tent" and wended his way to Cambridge City, Ind. 
The following year, 1840, he settled near Conners- 
ville, on the old Daniel Hankins farm, now owned by 
Charles Huber. Here he lived till all wanderings 
had ceased and all troubles were over, dying on the 
9th day of September, 1845. His estimable widow 
survived the early companion of her life a quarter of 
a century, and reached her final end March 10, 1870. 
Of their large family three daughters and one son 
survive. The early boyhood of " Uncle Joe", as he is 
familiarly called, was passed in the manner usual to 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



241 



youth. He had no college or seminary to look to, as 
a means of education. The primitive schools of an 
unsettled country were the only institutions of learn- 
ing to -which he had access. Being fond of sport he 
combined business with pleasure, and engaged in 
netting wild pigeons, of which he had sometimes as 
high as 1,000 dozen, caged in barns, cribs and other 
buildings. Of these birds he took a wagon-load of 
108 dozen in May, to Cincinnati, for which he 
received the magnificent sum of $108. After attain- 
ing his majority, he located in Connersville, and, 
undaunted by the frowns of the world, being a penni- 
less boy, he accepted employment for his board in a 
hotel, with privilege of attending school taught by 
"Uncle Harvey" Nutting. January 1, 1844, he entered 
the employ of George Frybarger, general merchant, 
receiving for a year's services $100 and board, and at 
the end of the year was $65 ahead of his personal 
expenses. In 1845, being employed by Henry Good- 
lander, County Treasurer, to collect the delinquent 
taxes, he traversed the county on horseback, collect- 
ing same, after which he carried on horseback 
between $5,000 and $6,000 on his person, to Indian- 
apolis, and made settlement with the State Treasurer. 
In the fall of the same year he accepted a situation 
with Witherel & Frances in general mercantile busi- 
ness. He enjoyed fully the confidence of his employ- 
ers, who early recognized the soundness of his judg- 
ment. In 1846 he was permitted to go to Philadel- 
phia to purchase a stock of goods for their house, and 
trade. In 1848 he succeeded to an interest in the firm 
which then became Groff & Witherel, continuing as 
such till January 1, 1850. Confinement in-doors, 
with a too close application to business, made serious 
inroads on his naturally good health, compelling 
relinquishment from labor to seek recuperation in the 
open air, which he effectually did by several months' 
sport with gun and fishing rod. With returning 
health came back the old ambition that had gone out 
with wasting energies, and he purchased E. Camp- 
bell's stock of goods, which at the time was some- 
what run down. His means being inadequate to 
replenish, Henry Goodlander and the Hon. Newton 
Claypool, his first endorsers, endorsed for him to 
amount of $1,000 in a Richmond bank. Part 
of 1856 and 1857 he rented and operated the flour- 
ing-mill now owned and run by Wetherald & 
Sons. In 1857 he disposed of his store business and 
immediately opened a confectionery, bakery and eat- 
ing-house, which proved a source of profit for twenty- 
four years; he disposed of his business May 11, 1881, 
together with all other business cares. Once outside 
all business restraint, he gave free rein to the 
natural bent or inclination of his mind, and the 
inventive genius that had been smothered in the 



struggle for accumulation, burst forth with all the 
glow and ardor of youth. His fertile mind at once 
devised the humane invention calculated to protect 
the operators of buzz-saws from accident. For three 
years he labored untiringly, having secured ten let- 
ters patent, and has one more now pending. The 
invention is now perfected to a nicety, is self-adjust- 
ing, eifective, and will afibrd absolute protection to all 
manipulators of the deadly buzz saw. In October of 
1882 he associated with him Augustus A. Bennett, of 
the firm Kitridge & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, for the 
manufacture of the Uncle Joe's saw guard. The firm, 
which is named the Groff & Bennett Saw Guard 
Manufacturing Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, has 
extensive manufacturing facilities of the highest orden 
and can on short notice supply every demand of the 
trade. Mr. Groff has been twice married. His first 
wife {nee Nancy J. Minor), was born in Union County, 
Ind, , October 6, 1831. Their marriage was consum- 
mated September 26, 1850. Two children were born 
to this union, Luella and Mabel, latter of whom died 
August 22, 1859, aged ten months and twenty- six 
days. Mrs. Groff died November 1, 1861, and our 
subject's second marriage was celebrated September 
9, 1863, with Nancy J. Moyer, who was born in Lima, 
Ohio, September 25, 1844. Four children have been 
born to them, Edwin G. , Mabel, Louie and Erla. 

SAMUEL N. HAMILTON, M. D., Connersville, 
was born near Fayetteville, this county, November 
23, 1845, son of Elijah and Mary J. (Smith) Ham- 
ilton, former a native of Ohio, latter of this county. 
The Doctor was engaged in farming until, April 8, 
1863, (then quite a youth) he enlisted in Company L, 
Third Indiana Cavalry, serving iintil July 20, 1865, 
when he was mustered out at Lexington, N. C, and 
discharged following August. He participated in 
the celebrated march to the sea, and was through the 
Carolinas with the Third Cavalry Division, Gen. 
Kilpatrick's command. Returning home, our subject 
commenced his education, attending school for follow- 
ing three years. Ho then taught for a time, reading 
medicine during vacations and such spare time as he 
could find while teaching. He attended Indiana 
Medical College term of 1872 and 1873; went to 
Texas early in 1874, returning home latter part of 
same year; took a medical lecture course and gradu- 
ated in 1875. In 1876 the Doctor returned to Texas, 
making his home on the Colorado River, some twenty 
miles above Austin, and dwelt among the people of 
the mountains, practicing the healing art. On March 
22, 1877, our subject married Miss Mary E. Haire, 
born April 19, 1858, near Greenfield, Mo., but resid- 
ing at time of her marriage at Smithton, Mo. To 
this union have been born two boys: Eugene Everett, 
born January 9, 1879, and Arthur Mazzini, born 



242 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



October 2, 1884. In the spring of 1877 Doctor 
Hamilton moved to this county and located at Ever- 
ton, where he practiced medicine until 1880. He 
then went to Schell City, Mo., but owing to the poor 
health of his family he retiu'ned to Everton (where 
he had formerly practiced in 1881) and there re- 
mained till June 3, 1882, at which date he moved to 
Connersville and formed a partnership with Dr. V. 
H. Gregg, in general practice of medicine and sur- 
gery. Our subject is a member of the County Dis- 
trict and State Medical Societies; he is a member of 
the G. A. R. 

CAPT. JOHN W. HANNAH, dealer in dry goods, 
groceries, notions, etc., Eighth Street, between West- 
ern Avenue and Walnut Street, Conaersville, is a 
native Hoosier, born in Rush County, June 5, 1838, 
son of James and Susannah (Peterson) Hannah, who 
were born in Bourbon County, Ky., the former Janu- 
ary 10, 1797, and the latter September 4, 1804. They 
came to Rush County, Ind., in 1836, where the father 
followed farming until his death, which occurred 
March 25, 1876. Oar subject received a common 
school education. He came to this county in 1870, 
locating in Harrison Township, and was married, 
January 19, same year, to Miss Rhoda A. Kerr, a 
native of this county, born March 10, 1849. Three 
children, Howard W., Alvia M. and Josiah G., have 
been born to them. Daring the late war of the 
Rebellion Mr. Hannah enlisted April 19, 1861, in 
Company E, Sixteenth Ind. V. I., and was appointed 
Sergeant, serving fourteen months. After returning 
home he re- enlisted October, 1863, in Company A, 
One Hundred and Twenty- fourth Regiment, and was 
elected First Lieutenant; March 2, 1864, he was pro- 
moted to Captain, serving until September 16, 1865, 
in the Armies of the Potomac and the Cumberland. 
Capt. Hannah has served several years as Justice of 
the Peace. He is a Knight Templar. He and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The Captain is a self-made man, and has prospered 
in life. 

JAMES HERON (deceased) was formerly a busi- 
ness man of high standing in the city of Conners- 
ville. He was born in Baltimore, Md., June 10, 1825, 
and settled in this community with his parents in 
1837. His mother is still living, aged eighty-five. 
He was educated in Oxford College, Ohio, and was 
early initiated into business life. In 1845 he assisted 
in engineering the Whitewater Valley Canal and was 
subsequently appointed Secretary and Treasurer of 
the company, serving in that capacity several years. 
He also assisted in locating and engineering the 
Junction Railroad, and was instrumental in securing 
the location of the W. W. V. R. R. on the banks of 
the canal. For twenty years Mr. Heron was con- 



nected with the pork-packing interests of Conners- 
ville, being associated with all the various firms from 
George Frybarger & Co., down to Caldwell, McCann 
& Co. He was married, in May, 1855, to Caroline, 
daughter of Hon. Enoch McCarty, a native of Cul- 
peper County, Va. , where he was born January 5, 
1783, and soon after his birth his parents removed to 
Tennessee, where he lived till the general immigration 
set in for the country northwest of the Ohio, when he 
moved to the Whitewater Valley. Mr. McCarty was 
then just in the prime of young manhood, and his 
many excellent qualities soon pointed him out as a 
public servant. He was first made Justice of the 
Peace, and on the organization of Franklin County 
was elected County Clerk, serving in that capacity at 
difi'erent times for about twenty years. He assisted 
in framing the State Constitution in 1816; served 
three years as State Senator, two terms as Represent- 
ative, and seventeen years as Associate Judge. 
Through his entire official career he was distinguished 
for the wisdom of his policies and the integrity of 
his jjurposes. He was also a brother of Gen. Jona. 
than McCarty. A second daughter of Mr. McCarty 
became the wife of thebrotherof Hiram Powers, the 
celebrated sculptor. By his union with Miss Mc- 
Carty Mr. Heron became the father of three children. 
He died June 19, 1876, mourned by many warm 
friends and business associates. His son, James M., 
has been identified with the business interests of Con- 
nersville for the past six years. He was born in 
Connersville, was given the advantages of the public 
schools of Connersville, also two years' study in the 
public schools and Chickering Institute of Cincin- 
nati. He abandoned his literary pursuits on account 
of failing health, and in 1875 engaged with Q. A. 
Mount as salesman in a boot and shoe store. In 
1879 he purchased Mr. Mount's interest, and since 
that date has conducted the business at the old Mount 
stand in partnership with his sister Kate. He was 
married, in June, 1882, to Miss Nanna Dolph, daughter 
of Rev. E. L. Dolph, Presiding Elder of the Methodist 
Episcopal Southeast Indiana District Conference. 
They have one child — Noreh, born February 8, 1884. 
Mr. Heron is a member of the Knights of Pythias, 
Uniform Rank; a Democrat in politics. He is an 
energetic young business man, and member of a 
family which is highly esteemed. 

JOHN M. HIGGS, editor and proprietor of the 
Examiner, office opposite court house on Central 
Avenue, Connersville, was born in Franklin County, 
Ind., near Halstead's Mills, April 5, 1841, and com- 
pleted his education at Brookville, where he resided 
until 1859. During the last five years of his abode 
in that village he learned the printing business and 
worked under C. B. Bentley, editor of the Democrat ; 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



243 



then moved to Coniiersville and purchased the old 
Telegraph oiBce, continuing its publication for two 
and a half years, at which time he sold out and en- 
listed, September 18, 1861, in Company L, Second 
Indiana Cavalry, under Col. Bridgeland, serving 
three years in the Army of the Cumberland, partic- 
ipating in the battles of Perryville, Shiloh, Chicka- 
mauga and Gallatin, Tenn. In the last-named en- 
gagement his company was captured by John Morgan, 
but, not being satisfied with their new commander, cut 
their way out, losing nine men, killed and wounded. 
After returning home Mr. Higgs resided two years in 
Indianapolis; then, in 1808, came to Connersville and 
started the Examiner, a six-column paper, with an 
entire new outfit. By strict attention to business, 
and carefully studying the demands of the people, 
patronage so increased that in 1882 he was compelled 
to increase the size of the paper to nine columns, and 
add presses which would enable him to do job work 
with neatness and dispatch. The enterprise has 
proved a success, and as a reward for his labor the 
Examiner has the largest circulation of any paper 
in this part of the State. Mr. Higgs was married 
October 31, 1861, to Miss Kate I. Davis, who was 
born in New Paris, Ohio. In 1873 our subject was 
elected to the City Council from the Second Ward; 
in 1876 he was a candidate for County Treasurer and 
received more votes than any Democrat ever did in 
the county, lacking only ninety-nine votes of election. 
He is a member of the G. A. R. 

HON. JAMES N. HUSTON, banker, farmer, stock- 
dealer, manufacturer and Legislator, Connersville. This 
enterprising and public-spirited young man is the 
son of William and Isabella E. (Duncan) Huston, 
the ancestors of both of whom were Scotch-Irish. 
The father was born in Franklin County, Penn., 
Septembers, 1801; was married in 18-17 and removed 
to Connersville, Ind., in 1851. He was for years en- 
gaged in farming and milling, being associated in busi- 
ness both in Pennsylvania and in Connersville with his 
brother James. In 1870 William Huston with oth- 
ers opened in Connersville a private bank known as 
the Citizens' Bank, with which he was connected 
until his death, which occurred January 5, 1875. He 
was a man of unbounded integrity of character, was 
extremely scrupulous in regard to religious and moral 
observances, and would permit of no Sabbath dese- 
cration. Early in life he united with the Presby- 
terian Church, of which he lived a consistent and 
zealous member, adhering, after the division in that 
church, to the Old School branch, serving as Elder 
for half a century. He was an excellent business 
man, understanding human nature well; his judg- 
ment was rarely at fault. A marked trait of his 
character was his great decision, reaching conclu- 



sions quickly. He was an ardent Whig and subse- 
quently a Republican, being ever a great Anti-slavery 
man. At his death he left a large estate. Our sub- 
ject, the only child by the marriage spoken of above, 
was born in Franklin County, Penn., May 11, 1849. 
When but twenty days old his mother died, and he 
was consequently deprived of a mother's care and 
guidance. He received the benefit of a liberal edu- 
cation, which was completed at Miami University, 
Oxford, Ohio. On the death of his father, in 1875, 
Mr. Huston became engaged in many lines of busi- 
ness as his father's successor, in which he has been 
remarkably successful. He is one of the most active, 
enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Conners- 
ville, which city owes to him a debt of gratitude for 
the general interest he has shown in its development 
and improvement. He was for a period President 
of the Coffin Company, Eagle Milling Compa- 
ny, and Silver Plating Company, and is now Pres- 
ident of the Connersville Buggy Company, and 
Western Hosiery Mills; is interested in the Gas 
Works, Creamery, Indiana Furniture Factory, be- 
sides various other enterprises; and is proprietor 
of the Citizens' Bank. In 1876 and 1878 Mr. Hus- 
ton was chosen for the City Council from the Second 
Ward. In 1880 he was elected to the State Legisla- 
ture and re-elected in 1882, receiving a strong sup- 
port from the laboring classes, for whom he ever feels 
a deep sympathy; was elected from the district com- 
prising the Counties of Fayette, Rush and Union, by 
a majority of 1,960, to the State Senate, November 4, 
1884. Mr. Huston takes great interest in matters 
pertaining to agricultui'e, and being an extensive 
land owner, he has carried on farming by " proxy " 
to a considerable extent. He has served for a time 
as President of the Agricultural Society. He is now 
serving as Chairman of the Republican Central Com- 
mittee of the county, which position he filled in 
1880 and 1882, and under his management the Re- 
publican majority in the county has been increased 
from 290 to 535. He takes an active interest in tem- 
perance movements, and does not conceal his opinions 
on the subject for party considerations. He is a R. 
A. M. ; a member of the order of K. of P. 

HEMAN JONES, retired farmer, Connersville, 
an old and highly esteemed pioneer of Fayette 
County, is a native of New Hampshire, born near 
Hanover, June 10, 1812. His parents, Nathan and 
Elizabeth (Spaulding) Jones, were natives of Massa- 
chusetts, of English extraction. In a very early day 
they emigrated to New Hampshire, and settled near 
Hanover, where they remained some time; thence moved 
to Vermont, and subsequently returned to New Hamp- 
shire, and in 1820 to Huron County, Ohio, where 
they remained permanently. They were the parents 



244 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



of nine children: Harvey, Love], Almira, Laura A., 
Elizabeth, Enos, Heman, Alonzo and Lucy. Heman 
came with his parents to the State of Ohio, and v?hen 
about sixteen years of age went to Mount Vernon, 
where he began as an apprentice to shoe-making, and 
subsequently movod to Springlield, where he completed 
his apprenticeship. In 1829 he went to Hamilton, 
and there remained, working at his trade one winter; 
thence moved to Mason County, Ky. , and there fol- 
lowed his trade about one year, and in 1831 came to 
Liberty, Union Co., Ind., whero he purchased a boot 
and shoe business. He was there married, April 2, 
1835, to Lydia A., daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Fosdick) Hughes, born in Campbell County, Va. , 
November 2C, 1817, and one of nine children, viz.: 
Mary, John, Elizabeth, Lydia A., Permelia, Marga- 
ret, William, Aaron, and one who died in infancy. 
In October, 1838, Mr. Jones sold his boot and shoe 
interest at Liberty, and moved to this county, where 
he purchased eighty acres of land in Columbia Town- 
ship, on which he settled and engaged in farming, 
and several years later he traded it for 1(50 acres in 
the same township, which he impi'oved, and as ho 
prospered he kept adding to it until he owns at pres- 
ent 560 acres in this county, and eighty acres in Ben- 
ton County, Ind., and also has money at interest, and 
several houses and lots in Connersville. In illustra- 
tion of what may be accomplished by energy, indus- 
try and well directed effort under our free American 
Government, may be cited the career of Mr. Jones, 
who started in life a poor boy, contending with all 
the disadvantages and inconveniences of a new coun- 
try, he battled his way up throl^gh an obscure life, 
and is now one of the wealthy men of Fayette County. 
He has always led an honorable life, his motives be- 
ing guided by the golden rule, " Do unto others as 
you would have them do unto you." Our subject and 
wife are members of the Christian Church. They had 
born to them five children, viz.: Elizabeth (deceased), 
Mary, Candas (deceased), Anna (deceased) and Cor- 
nelia (deceased). 

SAMUEL KIRKHAM, Sheriff of Fayette Coun- 
ty, Ind., Connersville, was born in Centre Township, 
Rush Co., Ind., February 14, 1842. He was raised 
on a farm and received a common school education. 
His father, Jonathan E. Kirkbam, was born in Ken- 
tucky, May 27, 1804, and died January 28, 1876. His 
mother was born in vSouth Carolina, May 20, 1806. 
Our subject enlisted August 28, 1862, in Company G, 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until April 3, 
1803, when he was discharged on account of disabil- 
ity. He re-enlisted in Company H, One Hundred 
and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Jan- 
uary, 1865, serving until the close of the war; was 
taken prisoner at Richmond, Ky., held two days and 



then paroled. Mr. Kirkham was married October 4, 
1870, to Miss Louzena B. Knipe, who was born De- 
cember 3, 1845, and to this union were born three 
children: Ophelia I., Phora B. and Ozro P. After 
marriage they left Rush County and located in Posey 
Township. Ho was elected Sheriff November 7, 1882, 
and re-elected November 4, 1884. Mr. Kirkham is 
a member of the K. of P. In politics he is a Re- 
publican. 

LEVIN McINTOSH, clerk in Huston's Bank, 
Connersville, was born in Dayton, Ohio, June 6, 
1826. His father, Joshua, was born in Virginia, May 
16, 1795; his mother was born near Snow Hill, 
in Maryland, in 1792. They moved to Indiana, 
locating in Connersville April 15, 1824, where the 
father followed shoe-making and the grocery business. 
Levin had the benefit of a common school education, 
and learned the trade of plasterer in early manhood, 
which he followed for thirteen years. He then 
clerked for Daniel Hankins twenty-six years. In 1876 
he accepted a position in Huston's Bank, where he 
has devoted his time and services ever since. Janu- 
ary 29, 1843, he married Miss Louisa Lower, and by 
this union are two children: Edwin, and Joshua G. , 
now in Marion County, Kan. Mr. Mcintosh is Pres- 
ident of Connersville Gas Company. He is a Knight 
Templar; a member of the G. T., and the U. O. of the 
G. C. 

JAMES M. McINTOSH attorney, Connersville, 
born in this city November 14, 1858, spent the greater 
part of his life in the schoolroom. He graduated in 
the class of 1880 at Greencastle, Ind., after which he 
filled the responsible position of Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the Whitewater Valley Silver Plating Com- 
pany, during the years 1880 and 1881. He read law 
under Mr. Charles Rohel and was admitted to the bar 
in January, 1880. In 1882 he formed a partnership 
with Hon. Charles A. Murray, in law business, and 
by strict attention to the same, and close application 
to books, the firm is prospering and is being justly 
rewarded for their labor. Mr. Mcintosh is the son 
of James C. Mcintosh, whose biography appears in 
the history proper under head of the distinguished 
dead. 

JOHN M. KBLLUM, photographer, Connersville, 
was born in this county August 8, 1845, son of John 
and Jane (Morrow) Kellum, natives of Ohio and 
Kentucky, respectively, his maternal grandfather 
having been one of the first settlers of Kentucky. 
His paternal grandfather was a native of North Caro- 
lina. Our subject's parents were married in 1831 
and settled on Williams Creek, where they resided till 
1869, when they moved to Minnesota. Here the 
mother died in 1870 and the father in 1880. Their 
six children are: Cynthia A., Margaret J., Mary I., 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



245 



Eolston, William N. and John M. Our subject was 
brought up on a farm, where he was employed till his 
eighteenth year, receiving an ordinary common school 
education. He learned the trade of carriage painting 
in 1864 and this was his chief occupation till 1872, 
when he took up the art of photography. He began 
the latter business in Kokomo, Ind., in 1872. Mr. 
Kellum was twice married; on first occasion October 
19, 1869, to Alice Hunt, of Hush County, who died 
September 30, 1870, leaving one child, which passed 
away six months later, and October 16, 1873, he was 
married to Carrie Craver, a daughter of M. B. and 
Mary A. Craver. One child — Claude — has been born 
to them. In the practice of his chosen art Mr. Kel- 
lum has not a rival in southeastern Indiana, his work 
in all its details showing a true perception of artistic 
effects, its tone and finish being seldom surpassed by 
metropolitan artists. His management of light is 
excellent, while the effect of ease and grace in position 
is no less thoroughly understood. In short, Mr. Kel- 
lum stands well in the front rank among the members 
of his calling, and truly merits the liberal patronage 
which an appreciative public is bestowing upon him. 

MARTIN MEYER, manufacturer of saddles and 
harness of every grade, also keeps in stock whips, 
robes, nets, curry-combs, etc., west side of Central 
Avenue, No. 512, between Fifth and Sixth Streets, 
Connersville. He was born in Baden, Germany, 
July 23, 1852. His parents came to America in 1854 
and located near Cincinnati, Ohio; in 1858 they came 
to Connersville, Ind. Martin received a common 
school education. He commenced learning his trade 
with John Cassady, of Connersville, and in 1869 
completed learning same under Mart Updegroff. In 
1878 Mr. Meyer began in business for himself. He 
was united in marriage September 12, 1875, with 
Miss Susan Donavon, who was born in Cambridge, 
February 28, 1854. By this union there are three 
children: Maudie, born November 24, 1878; Harry 
A., born August 19, 1880, and Gertrude, born August 
16, 1884. Mr. Meyer, May 7, 1884, was elected from 
the Second Ward to City Council. He is a member 
of the German Benevolent Society and of the Catholic 
Church. 

CHARLES MOUNT, Cashier of First National 
Bank and manufacturer, Connersville, is descended 
from one of the old and prominent families of the 
Whitewater Valley and Connersville. His parents, 
James and Mary (Dixon) Mount, were natives of New 
Jersey and Connersville, respectively, the latter being 
a daughter of Arthur Dixon, one of the first mer- 
chants of Connersville. James Mount was born No- 
vember 9, 1805, and in 1818 immigrated to Franklin 
County, Ind., locating, in 1823, in Connersville, where 
he became a prominent business man and leading 



citizen. He was for a time associated in mercantile 
business with Daniel Hankins, and subsequently 
with Meredith Helm. He was one of the number 
who built the large brick structure on Eastern Avenue 
near the C, H. & I. R. R., where he opened a large 
machine shop and foundry. He also, in connection 
with others, inaugurated a private bank, known as 
the Farmers' Bank, of which he was President. Sub- 
sequently he engaged in farming. His life was one 
of honest industry and, as an evidence of his frugality, 
at his death, which occurred November 30, 1882, he 
left quite a large estate. His widow survives him. 
Our subject was born in Connersville, Ind., Novem- 
ber 9, 1838. He was educated in the schools of his 
native village, finishing his studies in one of the 
commercial colleges of Cincinnati, where he took a 
complete business course. Mr. Mount began his 
business career as book- keeper in the business house 
of Mr. Castle, and subsequently filled a similar posi- 
tion for W. J. Hankins. In the fall of 1861 he 
enlisted in the Second Regiment Indiana Cavalry; 
the following fall he was promoted to Second Lieu- 
tenant in the Commissary Department, serving in all 
four years; then resigned on account of failing health. 
On November 15, 1865, Mr. Mount was united in 
marriage with Sarah E. Huston, daughter of Hon. 
John Huston, born in Januaz'y, 1844. To this union 
have been born three children: James C, Mary E. 
and John H. Mr. Mount, for some five years, was 
engaged in the boot and shoe business with John F. 
Castle; then the firm became Mount Bros., which con- 
tinued until in July, 1873, when our subject sold out 
and was appointed Cashier of the First National Bank 
of the city. Mr. Mount is also engaged in manufact- 
m'ing, being interested in the Connersville Furniture 
Manufacturing Company; has also carried on farming 
to a considerable extent. Both he and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, with which he 
has been connected since 1859, when he became a 
Deacon in the church. He is now one of the Trustees 
and church Treasurer. 

WILLIAM H. MOYER, furniture dealer, 521 
Central Avenue, Connersville, is a native of Ohio, 
born in Port Jefferson, November 1, 1838, where he 
received a good common school education. His par- 
ents, David and Ruth (Venaman) Moyer, were natives 
of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, and after 
marriage they located in Sidney, Ohio. In 1846 
they moved to Fayette County, Ind., where the father 
followed brick- making until his death. In 1852 our 
subject began clerking in a grocery store for W. H. 
Greer, continuing for three years; then worked in a 
brick yard with his father for four years; after which 
he clerked for Felton & Roswell in their grocery 
store. In 1857 Mr. Moyer married Miss Mary K. 



246 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Crosson, and three children have been born to them: 
Clara, Amanda, and Ruth S. After marriage Mr. 
Moyer bought Mr. Felton out and continued with Mr. 
Eoswell three years. He then sold out and started a 
new grocery for his own account, operating same two 
years, and selling out and going to Illinois. In 1863 
he opened up a grocery, bakery, and provision store 
in Connersville, the firm being Moyer & Co. In a 
short time he again sold out and made brick for five 
years; then kept a lunch stand at the Junction depot. 
In 1875 Mr. Moyer engaged in the furnitare business 
in which he has continued up to present time, doing 
a safe and prosperous trade. Our subject is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F.; a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

JOSIAH MTJLLIKIN (deceased) was a native of 
Talbot County, Md. , born in the village of Trappe, 
September 27, 1807, and in that village and in the 
city of Baltimore he passed his childhood and early 
manhood, learning in the latter place the shoe-mak- 
ing trade. On May 6, 1830, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Ellen Morrison, and the year follow- 
ing they came to Fayette County, locating on a farm 
in Orange Township, where they resided until iu 
1841, when they removed to the house in Conners- 
ville where he died November 14, 1884. To this 
union were born seven daughters and two sons. Mr. 
Mullikin followed his trade the greater portion of 
life, though he was for some years engaged in the 
manufacturing business, and was one of the builders 
of the old foundry located on Eastern Avenue, near 
the C, H. & I. R. R. In politics he was a Whig, 
and afterward a Republican. A man of principle 
and of the strongest convictions, the position he took 
became impregnable, and he could not be driven 
from it. He served Connersville when a village and 
afterward when a city in various offices, among 
them: Assessor, member of School Board, Street 
Commissioner, member of the Board of Trustees 
(town). Chief of Fire Department, and member of 
City Council. Mr. Mullikin was intimately identified 
with much of the growth and improvement of Con- 
nersville. In many ways he was a marked man 
among his fellow citizens. He was honest and hon- 
orable in his dealings with men. The estimate 
placed upon him by the people with whom he lived 
so long may be understood by the fact that they 
intrusted him with public interest by electing him to 
various offices for a long series of years. Perhaps 
no man in Fayette County was better known than 
Josiah Mullikin. He was extensively acquainted and 
was always faithful and true to his friends, while he 
was never afraid of any who may have been opposed 
to him. 

JOHN MURPHY, dealer in family and staple 



groceries, corner Fifth and Eastern Avenue, Conners- 
ville, member of the firm of Murphy Bros., was born 
in Connersville, and is now doing a successful busi- 
ness in his native town. His father was born in 
Limerick, Ireland, January 1, 1814; his mother, 
Elizabeth (Welsh) Murphy, was born in County 
Kerry, Ireland. They came to America and located in 
Washington, D. C, after which the father moved to 
Connersville, where he led a retired life until his 
death, which occurred January 1, 1868. Our subject 
received a fair education, and from 1872 to 1882 
was a finisher in the furniture factories. During a 
portion of the time he had charge of the department. 
August 22, 1882, he engaged in the present business. 
He is a wide-awake, thorough and practical grocer, 
destined to make a success of his undertakinar. He 
is a member of the Catholic Church. 

CHARLES A. MURRAY, attorney and Mayor, 
Connersville, is a member of the firm of Murray & 
Mcintosh, attorneys, office at Samuel Vi. Parker's 
old place of business, opposite court house. Mayor 
Murray was born in Geneseo, N. Y., March 27, 1851, 
and was reared upon a farm. His father, James Murray, 
was born in New York, March 6, 1809; died Septem- 
ber, 1866. His mother, Anna M. (Miller) Murray, 
was a native of New York. They immigrated to Indi- 
ana in 1859, locating for the time in Cambridge City. 
Charles A. attended school at Fairview Academy, Leb- 
anon, Ohio, Normal, and graduated at Asbury Uni- 
versity in 1875. He taught school during the winters 
of 1871, 1872 and 1873. Also taught Connereville 
high school from the fall of 1875 to the summer of 
1877. In meantime he read Jaw under Hon. B. F. 
Claypool, and was admitted to the bar June 20, 1877. 
By close application to business, hard study and strict 
integrity, he has won his present enviable position in 
the city of Connersville. In 1879 and 1880 he was 
elected as member of City School Board, and acted as 
Secretary. May 6, 1884, he was elected Mayor of the 
city, upon the Democratic ticket, over a good repu- 
table Republican gentleman in a Republican city, as 
a just reward for true merit. He was married Octo- 
ber 22, 1879, to Miss Olive Hurst, a native of Wayne 
County, Ind. By this union one child, Marcia, was 
born. Mrs. Murray is an affable lady, and with her 
husband is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

JOHN C. OCHILTREE, retired printer, Conners- 
ville, is a native of Indiana, and was born in Union 
County, near College Corner, March 1 1, 1846. His 
father, Thomas Ochiltree, was born in Virginia, Sep- 
tember 10, 1819, and his mother, Elizabeth (Hamil- 
ton) Ochiltree, was born in Preble County, Ohio, 
November 30, 1818. In 1846 his parents moved to 
Vienna (now Glenwood), Rush Co., Ind., where 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



247 



they now reside. John C. received a good common 
school education, and taught for twelve years. In 
1880 he came to Connersville and purchased the Times 
office in connection with VV. F. Downs, from Charles 
N. Sinks, August 24, 1880, after which Ochiltree 
& Downs consolidated with McClung & Bacon, pro- 
prietors of the Neiva, March 9, 1881, calling the con- 
solidated paper Connersville Times and News. In 
August, 1881, Mr. Ochiltree sold his interest to Mc- 
Clung, Bacon & Downs, and on the 9th of November, 
1881, A. M. Sinks and J. C. Ochiltree purchased the 
entire business. The name of the News was dropped 
from the paper in October, 1881, and its present name, 
The Times, re-adopted. On June 2, 1884, Mr. Ochil- 
tree sold his interest to his partner, A. M. Sinks, and, 
on the 6th day of November following, moved to In- 
dianapolis, Ind. , where he still resides. His present 
occupation is that of contributor to several literary 
journals. He was married November 10, 1S75, to Miss 
Lydia Davis, who was born November 15, 1859, and 
by this union one child— Paul H. — was born October 
17, 1876. Mr. Ochiltree is a ready writer and fluent 
conversationalist. 

JOHN PAYNE, County Auditor, Connersville, is 
a native of Ohio, born in Hamilton County, October 
30, 1842. He was reared on a farm and received 
a common school education. His father, Thomas T. 
Payne, a miller by trade, was born in New York in 
1801, and died in October, 1852. His mother, Ellen 
D. (Eees) Payne, was born May 9, 1807, in Virginia, 
and died in July, 1848. Mr. Payne was an appren- 
tice to the printing business, and after completing 
his trade, July 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company B., 
Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and served in the Seven- 
teenth Army Corps, Crocker's Brigade. In 1864 he 
was Aide-de-camp on Gen. John P. Hawkins' staff. 
At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the shoul- 
der. He remained in the service until January 4 
1866, and after the war he was in the Quartermaster's 
Department at Vicksburg, until January 1, 1869, then 
returned to Indiana and farmed up to 1873, when he 
engaged in the tile business. He was elected Auditor 
in November, 1882. Mr. Payne was married in Jan- 
uary, 1870, to Miss Eliza Ellis, whq was born in this 
county and State, April 10, 1850. This union has 
been blessed by the following children: William, Ed- 
win, Lucia, Charlie, Daisy, Edna and Pet. Mr. Payne 
is a member of Warren Lodge, No. 15, F. and A. M. ; 
Maxwell Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M. ; Fayette Council, 
No. 6, R. and S. M., and Connersville Post, No. 126, 
G. A. E. In politics he is an active and enthusiastic 
Republican; an affable and courteous gentleman. 

JOHN J. PETERS, butcher, Connersville, is a 
native of Germany, bora in Bavaria, May 11, 1849. 
He received a good education in his native land, and 



came to America in 1866, locating in Madison, where 
he followed butchering; thence went to Columbus, 
Indianapolis, Ind., St. Louis, Mo., Chicago, Louis- 
ville, Brookville and Connersville. In 1874 he started 
butchering for himself on east Washington Street, 
Indianapolis, continuing for five years. In 1880 he 
opened up at Connersville; January, 1883, he moved 
on a farm; in July returned to the city and opened his 
present shop. He was united in marriage, October 
26, 1876, with Miss Kate Hill, who was born in Jen- 
nings County, Ind., February 12, 1860. They have 
been blessed with three children ; George J. , John G. 
and Mary E. Mr. Peters belongs to the Butchers' 
Association of Indianapolis; he is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. 

THEODORE PFAEFFLIN, proprietor of saloon 
and boarding house, Sixth Street, between Central 
Avenue and W. W. V. R. R., Connersville, was born 
in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 80, 1848, and 
there received an academic education. His father, 
John G. Pfaefflin, was born in Germany, January 7, 
1817; his mother, Charlotte (La Roche) Pfaefflin, was 
born July 27, 1824. The former died July 19, 1859. 
Our subject came to America in 1802, locating in New 
York City, and immediately enlisted in Company M, 
Thirteenth New York Heavy Artillery. In the latter 
part of 1864 he was detailed as Orderly to Gen. Grant 
at Appomattox Court House, serving two years in all. 
He then returned to New York and learned upholster- 
ing, a trade he followed two and a half years; then 
came to Connersville and joined his mother, who 
came to this country in 1867. Mr. Pfaefflin officiated 
as bar-tender for Mr. Greenwald until 1868, then en- 
gaged in business for himself in Anderson, remaining 
there until 1875, when he returned to Connersville 
and entered his present business. Our subject was 
married, June 28, 1874, to Miss Maggie Croke, who 
was born in New York July 1, 1854, and raised in 
Anderson, Ind. Mr. Pfaefflin is a member of the I. 
O. O. F., Subordinate and Encampment, also Uni- 
form Rank of K. of P. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the German Reformed Church. He was se- 
lected as Water Works Trustee in 1879; held same six 
months, then resigned the honors. He was Chief of 
the Fire Department from 1880 to 1882, and at the 
election of April, 1884, was elected to the City Coun- 
cil from the Third Ward. Mr. Pfaefflin is truly a 
self-made man, and has been very successful in all 
his undertakings. 

OLIVER CLAUDE PIPER (deceased), late of 
East Connersville, was born April 25, 1868, died 
November 19, 1884, aged sixteen years, six months 
and twenty- five days, and was buried at the City 
Cemetery. Just two weeks previous to the day he was 
laid to rest he met with the accident which caused his 



248 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



death. On that fatal evening Claude was giving vent 
to his patriotic heart, together with a large number of 
others, and when firing a small cannon, it burst, a por- 
tion of it striking his leg, tearing away the knee cap, 
and badly fracturing the limb, from the effects of 
which he died. Claude was a model young lad, just 
emerging into manhood and surrounded by all the 
comforts of life that are calculated to make one hap- 
py. He was beloved by all who knew him, and left 
a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his 
untimely taking away. Claude was a bright and 
affectionate boy, whose ways had won for him a warm 
place in the hearts of many outside of the home where 
he was loved by kind parents, brothers and sisters. 
He was a son of Oliver S. and Sarah E. (Edwards) 
Piper, the former of whom was born in Warren 
County, Ohio, January 11, 1837; the latter, a native 
of Fayette County, Ind., was born April 12, 1839. 
They were married February 26, 1857, and have been 
blessed with six children: Charlie, born January 13, 
1858; Lola Delle, born August 16, 1865; Oliver 
Claude; Hettie J., born May 7, 1870; Lewis W.,born 
April 26, 1873; James C, born December 10, 1877. 
O. S. Piper is selling fruit trees for the W. & J. Ash- 
worth Nursery. The subject of this sketch received a 
good common school education, and began clerking 
for John L. Bailey, in November, 1882. He im- 
proved his leisure moments by running a neat little 
job office, printing cards, etc., for the elite of the 
city, and he turned out some excellent work. 

GEORGE P. PRATT, one of the leading boot 
and shoe dealers of Connersville, was born in Albany 
County, N. Y., in 1832. He is a son of David and 
Margaret (Passage) Pratt, natives of Massachusetts 
and New York State, respectively. His parents 
resided, most of their lives, in Albany County, where 
his father engaged in mercantile pursuits and farm 
ing until his death in 1842. Mr. Pratt remained 
with his mother after the death of his father till 
nineteen years of age. He then engaged in mer- 
cantile trade about three years in Albany, after which 
he purchased a farm and devoted some ten years to 
agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he came West and 
located in Connersville, where he has since resided. 
He at once established himself in the dry goods trade 
and later added boots and shoes, which he now hand- 
les exclusively, doing considerable manufacturing. 
He was married September 28, 1854, to Helen M. 
Ferguson, of Duanesburg. Schenectady Co., N. Y. , a 
daughter of John Ferguson, and five children were 
born to them: Jennie C. (now Mrs. Dr. Morrison), 
Maggie L. (now Mrs. E. V. Hawkins), David L., 
who died in 1864, Mary H. and Elsie M. Mr. Pratt 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity; the family 
are all associated with the Presbyterian Church. He 



does a fine business, and ranks among the first of the 
mercantile factors of Connersville. 

CAPT. ALFRED J. RALPH, ex-manager of the 
Western Hosiery Mills, Connersville, is one of the 
prosperous and enterprising manufacturers of this 
city. He was born near Hillsdale, Mich., May 22, 
1840. His early training was on a farm and he 
had the benefit of a good common school education. 
His father, Stillman Ralph, who was born in Ver- 
mont, moved to Michigan while young. He was the 
first physician in this county, being one of the earli- 
est settlers. Our subject's mother, Betsey (Netha- 
way) Ralph, was born and raised in the State of New 
York. Capt. Ralph farmed up to 1861. Being 
a loyal, law-abiding citizen, upon the call of the Pres- 
ident for troops to defend the flag of our Union, he 
recruited Company I, Sixth Michigan Volunteer In- 
fantry, of which he was elected First Lieutenant, and 
left at once for the Department of the Gulf, serving 
under Gen. Ben. Butler. In 1863 he was promoted 
to Captain for gallant services, after which he was 
taken prisoner and confined in Libby prison for six 
months. Being exchanged, he returned to his com- 
mand and served until the close of the war. He then 
engaged as commercial traveler for an Indianapolis 
notion house, continuing up to 1882, when he was 
engaged as manager of fhe Western Hosiery Mills. 
April 21, 1864, our subject married Miss Ridie 
Roache, a native of Maryland, born December 7, 1842, 
and by this union was born one daughter — loda B. 
Capt. Ralph is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

PROF. JASON L. RIPPETOE, Superintendent 
of Public Schools, Connersville, was born in Vigo 
County, Ind., December 6, 1839; son of Pleasant B. 
and Catharine V. (Shuey) Rippetoe, natives of Vir- 
ginia, the former born February 8, 1811, and the lat- 
ter December 13, 1818. They now reside in Effing- 
ham, 111. The early life of our subject was spent 
upon a farm and at the age of eighteen he entered 
Asbury University, taking a collegiate course, and 
graduating in 1863. After this he taught for three 
years in Danville Academy, two years as Principal. 
In 1867 he came to Connersville and took charge of 
the Union Schools as Superintendent, which position 
he has filled ever since, excepting in 1881 and 1882, 
when he acted as County Superintendent. Prof. 
Rippetoe was married September 26, 1865, to Miss 
Sarah E. Allen, who was born in Greencastle, Ind., 
September 26, 1844, and by this union three chil- 
dren were born: Kate A., Emma J. and Bessie L. 
The Professor enlisted in the Eighteenth Indiana 
Battery, under Capt. Beck, Gen. Wilson's Corps, 
serving two years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
and G. A. R. Both he and his wife are consistent 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



249 



Sabbath-school of which he is a particularly active 
and enthusiastic worker (at present the Superintend- 
ent), and in the other branches of church work. As 
an educator Prof. Rippetoe has been successful, and 
as an evidence of his popularity we have but to refer 
to his long term of service in the schools of Conners- 
ville, which are in a prosperous condition under his 
efficient and judicious management. The affable and 
genial manners of our subject, especially in kindness 
of heart shown to strangers in the city, one of whom 
will not soon forget him, have endeared him to a large 
circle of friends. 

THOMAS J. KITTENHOUSE, Treasurer and 
Secretary of the Cooley-Morrison Manufacturing 
Association, Connersville, was born in Harrison, Ohio, 
August 31, 1846, son of Jefferson and Mary (Moore) 
Rittenhouse, old residents of Hamilton County, Ohio; 
his father having been one of the first merchants of 
Harrison, and one of the most prominent. Mr. Rit- 
tenhouse grew to maturity in his native county. In 
1868 he came to Connersville and opened a grocery and 
provision store, taking stock soon after in the Cooley- 
Morrison Furniture Manufacturing Association, to 
which, since 1880, he has devoted his entire atten- 
tion, having abandoned the grocery trade at that date. 
He is at present Secretary and Treasurer of the Asso- 
ciation, and has materially aided it in its ascent to 
the commanding position which it now occupies 
among other institutions of its kind. Mr. Ritten- 
house has also been identified with most of the other 
enterprises which have been inaugurated in the town 
of Connersville since his residence in the place, and 
is regarded as one of its most energetic and efficient 
business men at the present time. He was married 
December 5, 1872, to Miss Jennie Garside, of Harri- 
son, Ohio; a daughter of Joseph and Martha Garside, 
an old and esteemed family of that place. Septem- 
ber 27, 1881, his wife passed away. Mr. Ritten- 
house is a member of the I. O. O. F. Grand Lodge and 
Encampment, in which he has passed all the official 
chairs. He is a man of shrewd business qualifica- 
tions, and his past success is a worthy guarantee for 
his future prosperity. 

AUSTIN READY, of the firm of Downs, Ready 
& Co., Connersville, is a native of Ireland, and son 
of John and Mary (O'Mally) Ready. He was born 
August 24, 1850, and in 1852 was brought by his 
parents to this country. The family located in 
Medina, N. Y., resided there about three years and 
then came to Franklin County, Ind. , where the 
mother died in 1862. Soon after this the remainder of 
the family removed to Glenwood, Rush County, and in 
1868 came from that place to Connersville, where 
they have since resided. Our subject spent his early 
years on the farm. He clerked in Groflf's grocery 



store and restaurant about four years, was employed 
about eighteen months in the Stock-yard Hotel at 
Cincinnati, was engaged in the liquor business at 
Connersville about two years, piu'chased stock in the 
Cooley-Morrison Manufacturing Association, and 
became its President two years, and then purchased 
an interest in the establishment, in which he is 
still a partner. His first partnership in the planing- 
mill business was with F. W. Martin, whose interest 
was purchased by Downs & Wait in the winter of 
1882. The company does a large business in the 
manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, moldings, etc. 
In 1867 Mr. Ready was married to Mary Welch, a 
native of Connersville, Ind. 

FRANCIS M. ROOTS, manufacturer, and Presi- 
dent of First National Bank, Connersville, was born 
in Oxford, Ohio, October 28, 1824. In 1816 his par- 
ents removed from the State of Vermont to that place, 
where the father, Alanson Roots, established a woolen 
manufactory, in which he was assisted by three of his 
elder sons, our subject giving his time in the summers 
and attending school in the winters. At the age of 
sixteen years he entered Miami University, located in 
the village, and pursued a scientific course. Mr. 
Roots' ancestors were descended from the old Puritan 
stock who fled to the shores of New England that 
they might have the privilege of worshiping God 
according to the dictates of their own consciences. 
In 1845 Francis M. and his brother. Philander H., 
began making arrangements to move their woolen 
mill to Connersville, Ind., being attracted by its fine 
water power and other business facilities, where they 
erected a building 100x40 feet, five stories high, with 
a capacity, during the war, of employing 100 hands 
on army supplies. This building was consumed by 
fire in 1875. In 1860 their greatest invention was 
patented, which is known all over the world as Roots' 
Rotary Blower, since which time they have made 
and sold in this country over 10,000 machines, and 
as many more in Europe — over 5,000 in England 
alone. They have been awarded first premiums at 
three international expositions — in 1867 at Paris; 
in 1873 at Vienna; and at the Centennial Exposi- 
tion of our own country at Philadelphia in 1876. 
In the prosecution of his business Mr. Roots made 
four trips to Europe, and expects to make another 
tour this season, taking his family along. Our sub- 
ject was married October 8, 1850, to Miss Esther E. 
Pumphrey, born in Connersville February 29, 1830. 
By this marriage six children were born, thi-ee now 
living. At home Mr. Roots has endeavored to be in 
sympathy with the best interests of the community, 
and has cheerfully borne his pai't in all public enter- 
prises. He has been an active member of the Pres- 
byterian Church from early youth, and an earnest 



250 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



worker in the Sabbath -schools, Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association, and the various temperance organiz- 
ations. He is President of the Connersville Furni- 
ture Manufacturing Company, employing 150 opera- 
tives, and also President of the Connersville Hydrau- 
lic Company, extending from Cambridge City to Con- 
nersville, and is one of the principal owners and 
manager of the blower manufactory; is also engaged 
in various other enterprises. 

FRANCIS T. ROOTS, banker, Connersville, is 
one of the active, enterprising young men of the city. 
He was born in Connersville July 17,' 1857. He 
attended the city schools and completed his education 
at Chickering Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he 
was the recipient of two gold medals for proficiency, 
one in the mathematical branch, and the other in sci- 
ence and valedictory effort, which he prizes as sacred, 
above all other boyhood possessions. P. H. Roots, 
our subject's father, was born in Rutland County, 
Vt., November 17, 1813, and in 1818 his parents 
moved to Oxford, Ohio, where he received a collegiate 
education in Miami University. October 27, 1837, 
he married Miss Susan C. Brown, of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and came to Connersville in 1849. He formed 
a partnership with his brother, F. M. Roots, in 1851, 
which was severed by death. In 1834 he united with 
the Presbyterian Church, soon after which he was 
chosen Ruling Elder. He was a leading active mem- 
ber of the church and Sabbath-school up to his death. 
In 1873 he was elected President of the First 
National Bank, which position he held up to his 
death, which occurred May 22, 1879. Our subject 
read law under Snow & Kumler, and attended law 
school at Cincinnati, Ohio, thereby completing his 
preparatory course for business, after which he 
engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe trade, with 
Crane & Lupton, in Cincinnati, for two years; then, 
at the death of his father, he was called home and 
was elected Vice-President of the First National 
Bank, which position he has filled ever since. Novem- 
ber 16, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Sallie M. Hileman, daughter of Hon. William Hile- 
man, of Evansville, Ind. By this union one child 
was born —Clarence S. Mr. Roots is Treasurer of 
Connersville Furniture Manufacturing Company, also 
Treasurer of Connersville Hydraulic Company. He 
and his estimable wife are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, of which he was elected Trustee in 
1884. Mr. Roots is also an inventor, and, with his 
many valuable patents secured and in progress, his 
future is bright and enviable. 

MAJ. JOHN W. ROSS, Postmaster, Conners- 
ville, was born in Franklin County, Ind., September 
30, 1837, received the best common school edu- 
cation the surroundings aflfbrded, and was raised on 



a farm. His parents, John S. and Hannah (Masters) 
Ross, were natives of Pennsylvania, former born Sep- 
tember 13, 1805. They were married in 1827, and 
came to Indiana in 1834, locating in Franklin County; 
then moved to Fayette County in 1853. Mr. Ross, 
July 29, 1861, enlisted in Third Indiana Battery, 
under Capt. W. W. Frybarger. October, 1862, he 
was promoted to Lieutenant, and February, 1863, 
at Knoxville, Tenn. , he was appointed Assistant Chief 
of Artillery, and Chief of Ordnance Department of 
Ohio, with rank and pay of Major. He served his 
country, in all, over three and a half years. After 
his return home he was married, December 18, 1865, 
to Miss Sarah M. Hanson, born October 10, 1837. By 
this union one child has been born — Mary A. March 
28, 1866, Mr. Ross engaged in the grocery business with 
M. C. Buckley, continuing up to February 1, 1868, 
at which time he sold out. After a short season of 
rest, our subject formed, in 1869, a partnership with 
Mr. Leonard in same business, and this firm existed 
up to 1871, when he purchased Mr. Leonard's inter- 
est, conducting the business alone up to"1873. He 
then sold a half-interest to Mr. Morrison, a clerk 
whom the Major had educated to the business. The 
"firm of Ross & Morrison existed up to September 12, 
1882, when our subject sold out and accepted the 
appointment of Postmaster February 1, 1883. ' Maj. 
Ross was also Assessor of Internal Revenue from 
December 23, 1871, to February, 1873, and Rev- 
enue Collector from March 10, 1874, to February, 
1876. Our subject prospered in all his undertakings. 
He has tilled all the positions of trust with credit to 
himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people. 
He is a member of I. O. O. F. and Encampment, 
also Q. A. R. 

JOHN B. SALYER, Connersville, is the honored 
Superintendent of Fayette County Infirmary. He 
is known as one of the most placid-tempered men of 
the county, and is therefore made the subject of many 
practical jokes, which he is ever able to reciprocate 
with a completeness and facility peculiar only to 
himself. His even temper is perhaps hereditary 
rather than acquired, as his father and uncle (to him 
ever equal masters during his minority) dwelt together 
and reared families in the same house, holding their 
property in common, with twenty children as the 
result of their respective unions. His parents were 
Charles and Margaret (Waters) Salyer, natives of 
Carolina and Virginia respectively, and of English 
and Irish descent. They came to this county in an 
early day, and purchased a large tract of land, which 
the two brothers cultivated in common, at their 
father's request, as related above. John B., whose 
name heads this sketch, was born February 14, 1827. 
He spent his early years in the common family of his 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



251 



father and uncle, employed in the arduous labors of 
the farm. At the age of twenty-two he was married 
to Adeline O.sbon, also a native of this county, and 
by this wife ten children are now living: Andrew J., 
Richard, Lewis, Ham, Theo, Bode, May A., Belzura, 
Flora and Maria. For several years after his mar- 
riage Mr. Salyer resided on the home farm. He then 
purchased 140 acres in Jackson Township, where he 
also lived a number of years. He at length disposed 
of his farm, however, and embarked in the grocery 
trade, at Everton, conducting this business three 
years, holding the office of Postmaster at the same 
time. After a few years spent in the milling and 
lumber business, Mr. Salyer returned to the farm, 
where he was engaged till 1879, in which year he 
was appointed to his present position of Infirmary 
Superintendent, an office which he has since retained, 
and the duties of which he has most faithfully and 
efficiently discharged. 

CHARLES B. SANDERS, City Treasurer, Con- 
nersville, Notary Public, insurance and real estate 
agent, and possessor of the only abstract of titles in 
the county, is a native of New York, born August 26, 
1827. He received a common school education, and 
at the age of eleven years was taken with necrosis of 
the left tibia, which confined him to his bed for three 
years. In 1869 he had his leg amputated three inches 
below the knee, which gave relief. His father, Eli- 
phalet Sanders, was born in Connecticut, February 
22, 1790; died May 19, 1853. His mother was born in 
New York, September 17, 1794; died April 18, 1881. 
In early life Charles B., as far as health would per- 
mit, followed the woolen-mill business. In 1864 he 
began machinists' work for a livelihood, at which he 
continued up to 1872, when he was elected County 
Recorder, and his work being regular he was reelac- 
ted in 1876. Mr. Sanders was married April 10, 1853, 
to Miss Ann P. Caswell, a native ot Ohio, who was born • 
May 12, 1833, and by this union there is one child — ■ 
Clinton A. — now a resident of Richmond, and a ma- 
chinist with the Hoosier Drill Company. Our subject 
came to this county March 27, 1857. He is a mem- 
ber of I. O. O. F., Subordinate and Encampment; a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN SAVAGE, Connersville, was born in Ban- 
gor, Me., December 7,1815;8on of John and Margaret 
(Campbell) Savage, natives of that vicinity. The 
family, in company with Daniel Campbell, Jacob 
Nelson (related) and Henry Welch, in 1815 left 
Maine for the West, first locating at Columbia, near 
Cincinnati, where John Savage, Sr., died in the fall 
of that year. In 1817 the widow and family, with the 
families of the others mentioned, removed to what is 
now Fayette County. In 1822 the Widow Savage was 
married to John Adams, a farmer of Harrison Town- 



ship, and their home was also the home of our sub- 
ject until he reached the age of twenty-three years. 
In March, 1839, Mr. Savage was united in marriage 
with Melissa Thomas, a native of the State of New 
York, and a daughter of Jacob Thomas, who settled in 
Fayette County, Ind., about 1822, having emigrated 
from Dutchess County, N. Y. By the union of our 
subject and wife seven children have been born, three 
of whom are deceased. The living are named Mar- 
tha v., Margaret C, Ruel I. and Emma. Mr. Sav- 
age in early life learned the painting trade, which 
occupation he has in the main followed through life. 
In 1859 or 1860 he was elected Sheriff of the county, 
the duties of which office he performed for four years to 
the satisfaction of his fellow citizens and with credit 
to himself. He has also filled other offices of trust. 
In politics he is a Republican. He is a F. & A. M., 
one of the oldest members of the fraternity now living 
in the county. 

THOMAS SHAW, grocer, Connersville, was born 
in Butler County, Ohio, August 1, 1829. He was 
reared on a farm and received a common school edu- 
cation. His parents, Albin and Ruth (Welch) Shaw, 
were natives of Butler County, Ohio. The former 
was born July 6, 1808; the latter was born December 
10, 1807, died in July, 1879. The subject of this 
sketch followed farming up to 1848, in which year 
he took up the carpenter's trade, following same for 
a livelihood. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, 
One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, from 
Rush County, Ind. He served two years as a pri- 
vate, receiving slight scalp and hip wounds as last- 
ing mementos of Decatur and Atlanta. In 1864 he 
retirrned to Connersville and worked for Roots in the 
foundry, then for Cooley, Morrison &Co., after which 
he was received as partner. In 1879 he sold out and 
returned to the foundry, working for one year. In 
1881 our subject engaged in the grocery business, 
continuing in same up to the present time. He was 
married, August 2, 1850, to Miss Margaret Willie, a 
native of Butler County, Ohio, and to them were born 
four children: James E., Alonzo, Martha M., Ida C, 
all now deceased. His wife died March 16, 1860. 
Mr. Shaw was again married, on this occasion Feb- 
ruary 1, 1863, to Caroline Knapp, a native of Rush 
County, Ind., born October 2, 1829. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., Subordinate and Encampment, 
also of the K. of P. Uniform Rank. He is a con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

AUGUSTUS M. SINKS, editor and proprietor of 
the Connersville Times, was born in Bethel, Clermont 
Co., Ohio, March 27, 1838. He received a com- 
mon school education in his native village, and sub- 
sequently entered what is now known as the National 
Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he pur- 



252 



BfoGRAPHIES. 



sued a course of study which completed his scholastic 
education. Mr. Sinks in early life was engaged in 
school teaching, during which period he read law 
under the instruction of Hon. R. W. Clark, of 
Batavia, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1863, 
and the same year was honored by the citizens of the 
county in his election to the office of Clerk of the 
Courts of the county, the duties of which office he 
performed with credit to himself and honor to his 
constituents, for three years. In 1867 he removed to 
Connersville, Ind., and purchased the office of the 
Connersville Times, which paper he published in con- 
nection with his brothers until in the spring of 1871; 
he then resumed the practice of law, forming a part- 
nership with Hon. J. M. Wilson, which continued 
xxntil in the fall of 1876. November 9, 1881, Mr. 
Sinks, in connection with J. C. Ochiltree, purchased 
the office of the Times, which paper they together 
published until July 1, 1884, at which time Mr. Sinks 
became the sole proprietor. From 1872 to 1878 Mr. 
Sinks was City Attorney for Connersville. He was 
also for many years Attorney for the (J., H. & I., Ft. 
W., C. & M. and W. W. V. Railroads. He has 
been twice married; first, June 23, 1859, to Miss 
Mary M. Quinlan, a native of Missouri, born in 
Weston, May 8, 1842. To this union was born one 
child— May. Mrs. Sinks died September 10, 1865, 
and October 18, 1870, Mr. Sinks was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Birdie Spangler, at New Liberty, 
Ky., where she was born May 23, 1850. Our subject 
is a genial and affable gentleman of scholarly attain- 
ments; he possesses a thorough knowledge of law, 
which eminently qualities him for the field of jour- 
nalism, which he is successfully following. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican; his paper, the Times, being 
the official organ of that jsarty in the county. Mr. 
Sinks is a member of Chapter and Council; is also a 
member of the 1. O. O. F. His parents, Randolph 
M. and Eleanor H. (Clarke) Sinks, are natives of Ohio, 
born October 15, 1809, and August 5, 1816, respect- 
ively. His mother died July 16, 1850. 

JOSHUA D, TATMAN. member of firm of Cooley 
& Tatman, photographers, No. 522 Central Avenue, 
Connersville, was born near Franklin, Warren Co., 
Ohio, July 7, 1828. He received a common school 
education. His father, Stephen Tatman, was born in 
Delaware, and his mother, Nancy (Ross) Tatman, was 
a native of Kentucky, born October 16, 1800; died 
October 10, 1876. They were married November 26, 
1815, and came to Indiana in 1841, where he located as 
a farmer in Franklin County, and there died. In 
1865 the subject of this sketch abandoned farm life and 
learned photography under his brother James. He 
started in business on his own account in 1872 with 
his present partner, A. C. Cooley. Mr. Tatman was 



married, January 11, 1872, to Miss Mary Morris, who 
was born July 25, 1838, and to this union have been 
born two children: Willie D., and Frankie M. 

THOMPSON F. THOMAS, proprietor of livery, 
sale and feed stables (with accommodations for 150 
horses), located on Central Avenue, between Fifth and 
Sixth Streets, Connersville, is a genial and courteous 
young man, born in Benton County, Ind. , October 1, 
1857. His parents. Sexton E. and Martha (Alexander) 
Thomas, are both natives of this county and State, 
having descended from old pioneer families of this 
vicinity. Sexton E., with little exception, has fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits, though for a few years 
he lived in Connersville, where he followed his son's 
business, but he has again returned to his farm in 
Columbia Township. Our subject was raised on the 
farm, receiving a good common school education. In 
addition to the above business he conducts a first-class 
undertaking establishment, and January 26, 1885, he 
bought the furniture store of W. H. Moyer, and is 
now carrying on the largest retail furniture store in 
Connersville. He was united in marriage, July 1, 
1878, with Miss Rose Hudson, who was born in 
Franklin County, Ind., June 2, 1859, and to this 
union have been born three children: Clair, Lessa 
and Flosie. Both our subject and his father are 
Republicans in politics. 

ROBERT UTTER, County Treasurer, Conners- 
ville, is a native of Fayette County, Ind. , born January 
2, 1843; son of Zimri and Susan (Winchel) Utter, 
natives of New Yoi-k, former born August 14, 1796, 
the latter born June 11, 1798; they located in this 
county in 1816; were married December 25, 1817. 
Zimri Utter died January 30, 1880, his wife Novem- 
ber 6, 1864. Robert Utter received a good common 
school education. He farmed until August 22, 1862, 
when he enlisted in Company L, Third Indiana Cav- 
alry, under Capt. O. M. Powers, in Gen. Kilpatrick's 
command, serving until July 20, 1865, when he was 
mustered out of service and returned to the farm. 
January 17, 1867, Mr. Utter was married to Miss 
Mary F. Jones, a native of this county, born July 12, 
1842, and to this union were born three children: 
Ottis, Eva (deceased May 30, 1884) and Nellie. In 
the fall of 1880 Mr. Utter was elected County Treas- 
urer and re-elected in 1882. He was elected Trustee 
of Columbia Township two terms — 1868 and 1869. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. 

RICHARD G. WAIT, a third member of the 
firm of Downs, Ready & Co., was born in Ohio in 
1850; son of Richard and Mary (Woolison) Wait, 
natives of England. They came to this country 
when young, were married in the State of New York, 
and about 1839 moved to Ohio and settled in Hamil- 
ton County, where they are still residing. Six of 



CONNERSVILLE CITY. 



253 



their nine children are now living: John, Charlotte, 
Carrie, Ann, Mary and Richard G. The subject of 
our sketch remained the usual twenty-one years with 
his parents. He learned the carpenter's trade with 
his father, and was two years engaged at Indianapolis. 
In 1875 he came to Connersville, and since that time 
has been continually engaged in contracting and 
building. In 1877 he purchased an interest in the 
mill with which he is now connected, sold out a year 
later, and in 1882 repurchased. Mr. Wait was mar- 
ried, in 1871, to Lizzie White, a native of Dearborn 
County, Ind., and daughter of James and Esther 
White. Her father was born in South Carolina, 
from whence he came when a youth to this State, and 
her mother was born on the voyage to this country 
from England. Her parents are still living at Har- 
rison, Ohio. By this union three children are liv- 
ing: Harry, Essie and an infant not named; two others 
died in infancy. Mr. Wait is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and may be classed among the most energetic 
and industrious of Connersville's business men. 

ANTHONY WATT, general manager of Con- 
nersville Gas Light Company, is a native of Penn.syl- 
vania, born in Philadelphia, March 1, 1823, and had 
a common school education. His father, John Watt, 
was born in Ireland; his mother, Edith (Rue) Watt, 
in Bucks County, Penn., in 1793, and died in 187-4. 
In the spring of 1844 Mr. Watt located in Conners- 
ville and clerked for Elliott & Bro. ; was sent to 
Alquina with a branch store, remaining one year, 
thence went to Harrisburg. In 1848 Elliott & Bro. 
moved their stock to Connersville, and Mr. Watt 
engaged in general business at Harrisburg for him- 
self, carrying on a farm in addition. In 1867 he 
moved his business to Connersville, but lived in Har- 
risburg. In 1873 he closed out his business and 
moved his family to Connersville, where he accepted 
the position of Deputy Auditor, in which he contin- 
ued for eighteen months. December 25, 1875, he 
engaged in his present business. During Mr. Watt's 
sojourn at Harrisburg he was Postmaster. Our sub- 
ject was maiTied in October, 1852, to Miss Malinda 
Murphy, who was born in July, 1833, and to this 
union was born one son — John R — who is now 
engaged in Indianapolis as book-keeper. Mr. Watt 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, of 
which he is Financial Scribe; also Warren Lodge 
No. 15, F. & A. M., Maxwell Chapter No. 18, R. 
A. M., and Fayette Council No. 6, R. & S. M., acting as 
Secretary of all these Masonic branches. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

ELIAS WEBSTER, physician, Connersville, was 
born in Fayette County, Penn., October 31, 1805, son 
of William and Mary (Marsh) Webster, natives of 
New Jersey, the former born January 3, 1773, the 



latter February 5, 1779. They moved to Ohio, May 
1, 1806, locating in Butler County, twenty-five miles 
north of Cincinnati. Mr. Webster died December 
29, 1846; his widow May 8, 1864. The subject of 
this sketch received a common school education and 
in 1822 embarked in the tanner's trade, which he 
followed for ten years. He then prosecuted farming 
in connection with other enterprises up to 1871, when 
he moved to Connersville. In November, 1804, he 
came to this county. Our subject read medicine at 
home, and attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 
1850 and 1851, receiving his diploma February 12, 
1874, from the Homaopathic college. The Doctor 
began the practice of medicine in 1835 and has con- 
tinued up to the present. He was married, Septem- 
ber 8, 1825, to Miss Mary Kain, who was born in 
Warren County, Ohio, January 5, 1809, and to this 
union were born nine children: William, physician 
at Dayton, Ohio; Samuel, born September 10, 1829, 
died November 11, 1832; Hugh, born March 3, 1832, 
died October 1, 1833; James K., a physician in Flor- 
ida; Joseph M., farmer near town; Taylor, born 
August 7, 1841, died September 11, 1882; Daniel, 
born July 10, 1843, died May 11, 1883; Sarah A., 
born January 13, 1846, now the wife of Rev. A. H. 
Jevis, and Mary J., born December 23, 1854, died 
August 11, 1855. Mrs. Webster died September 28, 
1867, and our subject was again married October 31, 
1871, on this occasion to Mrs. Mary P. Doughty, a 
native of Kentucky, born October 15, 1818. The 
Doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

THOMAS WHITE (deceased) one of the early 
settlers of this county, was born in Tennessee in the 
year 1803. In 1813 his father with the rest of the 
family crossed the Ohio River from Tennessee, but 
trouble with the Indians made it necessary for them 
to return to the fortifications at Hamilton. In 1815, 
however, they located in this county and for some 
time were much annoyed by the Indians, who were 
then savage and troublesome. They purchased 160 
acres of land in the east part of this township, Mr. 
White making some of the payments by cutting cord 
wood in the vicinity of Cincinnati. They resided 
here until about 1838, when they moved to Madison 
County, Ind., where the father died a few years later, 
the mother about 1852 or 1853. Thomas White 
resided with his parents till grown to maturity. In 
November, 1830, he married Elizabeth Douglass, who 
was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1813, a daugh- 
ter of William and Cora N. (Cassady) Douglass, also 
natives of Ohio. Her grandfather came from Wales 
and was a lineal descendant of the old Douglass fam- 
ily so famous in history and romance. The Cassadys 
were of Irish descent and of an old and prominent fam- 



254 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



ily. After his marriage Mr. White inherited a por- 
tion of the old homestead in this county, and pixr- 
chased the remainder. He followed farming till 1861, 
when he retired from active service and moved to 
Connersville, where he died in 1863. He was a man 
of tirm convictions, scrupulous honesty, and greatly 
reverenced by his family. Mr. and Mrs. White 
reared no children of their own, but adopted a sister's 
son, John T. White, who has always lived with the 
family. John T. was born in 1843 and in 1876 married 
Anna R. Halbert, a native of Maryland, and daugh- 
ter of Samuel Halbert. By this marriage three chil- 
dren were born: Thomas H., Elizabeth R. and James 
D. Mr. White is a carpenter by trade; a member of 
the K. of P., Uniform Rank; is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. The family has been identified with 
the history of the county from the earliest periods, 
and its name will long be remembered and cherished. 

CHARLES R. WILLIAMS, Deputy Auditor, Con- 
nersville, was born in Fayette County, Ind. , June 10, 
1830, and received a good common school education. 
His father, Charles, was born in New York, Novem- 
ber 23, 1791, and died March 1, 1868. His mother, 
Lydia (Jobs) Williams, was born in Pennsylvania,. 
April 16, 1800, and now resides with her son Ambrose, 
in Harrison Township. These old pioneers came to 
Indiana in 1814, and located in what is now Fair- 
view Township. The subject of this sketch taught 
school from 1848 to 1869, in the winter season, farm- 
ing during the summer. He was married, August 3, 
1851, to Miss Caroline Ellis, of this county, who was 
born November 11, 1833. They have been blessed 
with the following children: Frank; Rose E. ; Alice 
C; Olive, died September 27, 1861; Manor L., died 
September 30, 1861; Laura; Eliza E.; Harriet E. ; 
Roy L. ; Bert and Charles. In 1858 our subject was 
elected County Surveyor, serving two years. In 1864 
he was drafted three times, furnishing two substi- 
tutes, but finally went in person, serving five months 
in Company C, One Hundred and Thirtieth Ind. 
V. I. returning with no worse damage than a de- 
pleted pocket-book. As a reward of merit, in Octo- 
ber, 1874, Mr. Williams was elected County Auditor, 
and re-elected in October, 1878, discharging the 
duties of the office with credit to himself and to 
the entire satisfaction of his constituents. 

CASS WOLF, brick-maker and Street Commis- 
sioner, Connersville, is a native of Germany, born 
in Baden, June 29, 1846; son of Ignatz and Mag- 
dalene (Ufheil) Wolf, also natives of Baden. Our 
subject received a good common school education, and 
with his mother came to America in 1854, locating in 
Huntington County, Ind. In 1864 he went to 
Indianapolis, where he remained until 1878; thence 
moved to Jennings County, where he farmed for 



three years; thence to Rushville, where he opened up 
a brick-yard, and in 1881 he came to Connersville, 
where he engaged in the manufacture of brick. Mr. 
Wolf was married June 6, 1872, to Miss Kate Cul- 
lins, a native of Marion County, Ind., born March 
14, 1854, and three children were born to this union: 
Nannie G , born August 30, 1873; Bessie L., born 
July 1, 1876; and Daisy, born May 28, 1883. Mr. 
Wolf was appointed Street Commissioner in May, 
1884. 

GEORGE W. WOOLSEY, druggist, Connersville, 
was born in Evansville, Ind., March 8, 1847, and 
received a good education. He was raised in a drug 
store, and has followed no other business for past 
twenty-five years. In 1860 he went to LaSalle, 111., 
and clerked in his father's drug store. In 1871 he 
engaged in business at Toledo, Ohio, where he 
remained four years; thence went to Carroll, 111., 
where he was with Barclay Bros. In 1881 he came 
to Connersville, and purchased D. W. Andre's drug 
store, where he has established a lucrative wholesale 
and retail trade, carrying a general line of drugs and 
patent medicines, Sherwin paints, oils, varnishes, 
window glass, toilet goods, pure wines and liquors for 
medical purposes only. He also devotes his time to 
compounding the following valuable medicines for 
the trade: Penetrating oil, compound syrup wild 
cherry, extract Jamaica ginger, elixir buchu, juniper 
and acetate potash, Woolsey's salve, camphor ice, 
bouquet cologne, compound syrup sarsaparilla with 
iodide potassium, cocoanut hair oil, etc., etc., on 
which he gives liberal discount. Mr. Woolsey was 
married January 30, 1881, to Miss Mary Kinzle, a 
native of Pennsylvania, who was born May 10, 1860. 
He is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. 

CURTIS WRIGHT, Connersville, formerly Sec- 
retary and Treasurer and now President of the 
Cooley-Morrison Furniture Manufacturing Associa- 
tion and now one of its principal stock -holders, was 
born in 1844, in Stark County, 111., where his early 
days were spent. He is a son of Capt. W. W. 
Wright, who lost his life in the battle of Resaca, in 
1864. His mother, Mrs. Ann M. Wright, now 
resides at Champaign, 111. At the age of eighteen 
Mr. Wright enlisted in Company F, One Hundred 
and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry (T. J. Hen- 
derson, Colonel; W. W. Wright, Captain,) and contin- 
ued in the service three years. He participated in 
thirty-five recorded battles, receiving his discharge 
in 1865. Soon after leaving the army he began rail- 
road work as bill clerk, at Cincinnati, and by his 
fidelity and efficiency rose through the various posi- 
tions in the company's service to that of Superin- 
tendent of the telegraph department, also having 
charge of the general ticket office during a part of that 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



255 



time. He remained in the employ of the railroad 
company about ten years, and then embarked in the 
furniture business, in which he has since continued. 
He purchased an interest in the Cooley-Morrison Fur- 
niture Manufactui-ing Association, became its Sec- 
retary and Treasurer, and exerted a leading influence 
in bringing it up from virtual bankruptcy to its pres- 
ent standing of prosperity. The institution is the out- 
growth of the firm Cooley, Morrison & Co., and the 
Cooley, Gregg & Go's establishment, and was incorpo- 
rated under the law of the State. It was formerly a 
stock company enterprise, but is now controlled by 
C. Wright, T. J. Rittenhouse and R. 0. Wright, with 
a capital of 150,000. The factory gives employment 
to about one hundred workmen, and has a capacity of 
350 pieces per week. Mr. Wright was married in 
1869 to Nira Koogler, daughter of Dr. Koogler, of 
Connersville, and a native of Ohio. She is a niece 
of Gen. Crook, of Indian fame, and who, dxiring the 
summer of 1883, received so much notice from the 
newspaper world. The fruits of this marriage are 
seven children, all now living: Bessie C, Nira, Annie 
M., Curtis, Jr., Nathaniel W., May and William W. 
Mr. Wright is a member of the G. A. R., also of the 
Presbyterian Church. He is an industrious, practi- 
cal business man, and possesses in a large degree 
those qualities of character in which the elements 
of success are inherent. 

ROBERT C. WRIGHT, the junior member of the 
Cooley-Morrison Furniture Manufacturing Associa- 
tion, Connersville, was born in Stark County, 111., in 
1852 ; son of Capt. W. W. Wright. His early years were 
devoted to farming in his native county, where he re- 



mained till his twenty-fifth year. He then studied law 
with Judge Wright, of Toulon, 111., and practiced his 
profession till 1881, when he came to Connersville and 
purchased an interest in the manufacturing estab- 
lishment already referred to in sketch of Curtis 
Wright. Our subject is a young man of sterling 
qualities, both of mind and heart. 

WILLIAM N. YOUNG, County Recorder, Con- 
nersville, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born 
December 7, 1845. He was raised on a farm and 
had a common school education. His fatber, Will- 
iam, was a farmer and school teacher, born in Mary- 
land, August 2, 1822; moved to Indiana in 1837; died 
October 2, 1851. His mother, Rebecca Y. (Bennett) 
Young, was born in Wayne County, Ind., August 12, 
1823; died October 19, 1863. They were married 
February 25, 18-i4, and in the spring of 1846 they 
moved to this county, where they resided until their 
death. William N., at the age of sixteen, enlist- 
ed in Company H, Thirty-sixth Regiment I. V. I., 
served three years and was discharged as Corporal. 
He then attended school until the spring of 1865, 
when he enlisted in Company F, Fifth U. S. Vet. 
V. I., serving till March, 1866. He then went to 
school and taught until 1880, at which time he was 
elected Recorder, being re-elected in 1882 for four 
years. Mr. Young was married, September 3, 1868, 
to Miss Eliza J. Chrisman, a native of Fayette Coun- 
ty, born June 9, 1849. By this union two children 
were born: William G. and Alva L. Mr. Young is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and G. A. R. In 
politics he is a Republican. 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



S. ADAMS, farmer and manufacturer, Conners- 
ville Township, is a native of the State of New York, 
born April 14, 1825, son of W. T. and Elizabeth 
(Fruits) Adams, natives of New York and Kentucky 
respectively; married in Indiana. They subsequently 
moved to the State of New York, remaining until 
about 1845 or 1846; then returned to Indiaaa, where 
they resided during the rest of their lives, respected 
and honored. W. T. Adams was by occupation a 
pump manufacturer, and did a largo business. The 
early years of our subject wore passed in his native 
State, and at about the age of nineteen or twenty he 
settled in Franklin County, Ind., where he remained 
about one year; then removed to Fayette County, 
where with little exception he has since resided and 
been engaged in manufacturing and dealing in 



pumps, in which line he has done an extensive and 
successful business. He has been four times mar- 
ried. His first wife was Mary A. Barlow, who lived 
but two years. His second wife was Eleanor P.Clark, 
by whom he had four children, three of whom are now 
living: Mary M. , Elnora and Queen. After the death 
of this wife Mr. Adams married Phoebe J. Crandel, 
and after her death he was united in marriage with 
Amelia J. Enos, his present wife, who is a native of 
Butler County, Ohio, a daughter of William and Re- 
becca Enos. Mr. Adams, one of the substantial men 
of Fayette County, has served as Treasurer of East 
Connersville, and was several years School Trustee. 
In politics he is a Republican. 

LEVI AYERS, farmer, Posey Township, was born 
in Butler County, Ohio, in 1813, son of Henry and 



256 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Mary (Tucker) Ayers, former born in Pennsylvania, 
latter in Ireland, being three years old when her par- 
ents came to America. In 1828 Henry Ayers with 
his family settled two miles north of Connersville, 
where they lived live years. He was a cooper by 
trade. In 1833 he settled on the present Jeffrie farm, 
same township, living there till 1837, at which time 
they settled permanently on the land now owned by 
Levi Ayers, Posey Township. Henry Ayers died in 
1848 in the sixty-sixth year of his age. His widow 
died in 1851, aged sixty -two years. They had nine 
children: Harriet, Levi, Henry W., Mary, Israel, 
Henrietta, Phoebe, Julia and Jane. Mr. Ayers served 
in the war of 1812 and 1814, being stationed at De- 
troit. Our subject passed his boyhood days under 
disadvantageous circumstances, and of learning he 
acquired but little; of hard work and privations he 
had plenty. In 1835 he was married to Susan, daugh- 
ter of Alexander Jennings, and by this union were 
born eleven children: Sarah J., William, Mary, Phoeba 
A., Eliza, John, Jonathan, America, Emma, Flora, 
Minerva (deceased). Mr. Ayers owns an excellent 
farm of 128 acres, splendidly improved and in a high 
state of cultivation. The family hold membership in 
the Christian Church and are among its stanch sup- 
porters. Politically Mr. Ayers is an uncompromising 
Republican. 

OSCAR M. BACKHOUSE, farmer, Connersville 
Township, was born in Fayette County, Ind., May 31, 
1855, son of Samuel B. and Nancy (Milner) Back- 
house, the former born in Harrison County, Ohio, 
October 2, 1815, and the latter in Fayette County, 
Ind., March 18, 1822. They were married in this 
county and here they settled. Mr. Backhouse died 
May 30, 1881; his widow is still living with her son> 
our subject. Their children were as follows: Ella 
W., Helen S., Josie M. (deceased), Captolia and Os- 
car M., who is the third in point of age, and the only 
son. He was married in this county July 18, 1870, 
to Mollie E., daughter of Joseph W. and Almira(Ty- 
ner) Caldwell, who was born in this county July 16, 
1858. After our subject's marriage he settled on the 
farm where he now lives. Their children are as fol- 
lows: Lena M., born May 29, 1877; EvaF., born June 
9,1879; Willie O., born January 24, 1881; and Carl 
M., born August 16, 1883. 

JOHN BAKER, farmer, Fairview Township, was 
born in Bourbon County, Ky., February 14, 1803. 
His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Fife) Baker, 
were natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively. 
Abraham Baker, born July 7, 1764, was a son of 
John and Mary Baker,who, in an early day, moved from 
Maryland to Kentucky, and there resided the balance 
of their days. His wife was a daughter of Abijah 
and Ellen Fife. They were married in Mason Coun- 



ty, Ky., March 18, 1800; after marriage they settled 
in Bourbon County, Ky., remaining until 1824, when 
they moved to this county, where Mrs. Baker died 
October 5, 1826. They had a family of eight chil- 
dren: David, John, Harrison, Mahala, Nancy, Ellen, 
Eliza, and Daniel. Mr. Baker subsequently married 
Margaret Stephens. They were exemplary members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. 
Baker was a Jacksonian Democrat in early and mid- 
dle life, but subsequently became a Whig. He died 
January 17, 1842. John, our subject, the second 
in the family, came with his parents to this county 
in 1824. In 1826 he returned to his native county, 
and there married, December 12, same year, Mary 
Hannah, born in Bourbon County, Ky., October 30, 
1801, daughter of Joseph Hannah, a native of Ire- 
land. To this union were born the following-named 
children: Elizabeth, John H., Eliza M., Sarah M., 
Harriet, James S. , Mary J., and David. In Febru- 
ary following their marriage our subject and wife 
moved to this county, settling on the farm where he 
has since resided. Mrs. Baker died December 2, 1858. 
Our subject began life at the foot of the hill, but by 
judicious use of his time, and hard labor, he gradually 
worked his way up until he had amassed a landed 
estate of 260 acres. August 7, 1882, he met with a 
painful accident, dislocating or breaking his hip bone, 
and has since been deprived of the use of his body. 
Politically he is a Republican. 

AZARIAH T. BECKETT, farmer, Jackson Town- 
ship, was born in Franklin County, Ind., December 
16, 1816; son of William and Doshia (Thorn) Beckett, 
natives .of Pennsylvania. The father of William 
and grandfather of Azariah T. was a native of Ireland, 
and was in that country educated for a Catholic priest. 
On immigrating to America he settled in Pennsylvania, 
abandoned the priesthood, and was married. He sub- 
sequently removed to the vicinity of Hamilton, Ohio, 
where his death occurred. The father of our sub- 
ject settled in what is now Jackson Township, this 
county, in 1814, where he entered some 320 acres of 
land. He succeeded well in life and at one time had 
accumulated considerable property, which, however, 
was subsequently lost. He was a Captain in the Militia 
during muster days, and for some years served as Jus- 
tice of the Peace. He was three times married, hav- 
ing by his first wife six children, by his second (nee 
Katie Lynch) four, and by his last wife four. Our 
subject commenced life a poor boy, and had the 
advantages of only a very limited common school 
education. He worked by the month, and by such 
earnings was enabled to begin the purchase of the 
property where he at present resides. He owns now 
over 500 acres of excellent and well-improved land, and 
has besides settled about 350 acres on his children. 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



257 



which furnishes a fair illustration of the thrift and en- 
terprise of this gentleman. On December 27, 1838, Mr. 
Beckett was united in marriage with Miss Emily Ross, 
who was born July 17, 1814. To this union were 
born seven children: William E., born November 8, 
1839; Joseph, born July 9, 1841; Clementine, born 
January 8, 1843 (died March 17, 1801); Caroline, 
born December 7, 1844; Theodore, born March 11, 
1847 (died August 30, 1848); Marian, born Septem- 
ber 25, 1849 (died April 11, 18G1), and Azariah T., 
Jr., born January 31, 1852. Of the sons, Joseph was 
a member of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ind. V. I. ; 
died at Nashville, Tenn., in defense of his country 
and the flag he loved. The mother died October 
28, 1881. Mr. Beckett has been twice appointed to 
the office of County Commissioner to fill out two va- 
cancies, and was subsequently elected by the people to 
serve four terms, officiating in all about fourteen years. 
He has also been chosen to till minor offices — as 
School Director, Township Trustee, etc. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., having been the first man 
initiated in that order in Everton. He is a F. 
& A. M. Politically, Mr. Beckett votes the Repub- 
lican ticket. In every way he is a good citizen, 
one of the substautial men of Fayette County. 
He is public-spirited, and generous to a fault in giv- 
ing to the church and other worthy enterprises. 

THEODORE BEESON, farmer, Posey Township, 
is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born March 17, 
1845; a descendant of an old and highly respected 
family, his parents being Templeton and Sarah A. 
(Loder) Beeson, natives of Indiana. They were mar- 
ried in Wayne County, and shortly afterward moved 
to Rush County, where they remained a short time, 
and from thence came to this county, settling in 
Posey Township, where the father died in January, 
1881. His widow is still living, and resides on the 
old homestead. Their family were: Isabelle, Leroy, 
Theodore, Edgar, Charles, and Williard. Our sub- 
ject was married in Wayne County, February 18, 

1874, to Malinda, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy 
(Sellers) Harvey, and born in Wayne County, Ind., 
February 14, 1853, and to this union one child — 
Harvey T. — was born in Rush County, Ind., May 9, 

1875. After his marriage Mr. Beeson moved to Rush 
County, where be owned land, and in 1881 came to 
this county and settled on the farm where he now 
lives, and which he had purchased previously. He 
owns 128 acres of land in this county and 160 in 
Rush. 

B. L. BENSON, dealer and importer of fine-bred 
hogs, Fairview Township, was born in Rush County, 
Ind., July 11, 1842. His parents were John H. and 
Mary (Minor) Benson, the former born in Maryland, 
March 2, 1802, and the latter in Kentucky, Decem- 



ber 23, 1809. They were married in Pendleton 
County, Ky., and moved thence, in an early day, to 
Rush County, Ind., where they resided. Mrs. Benson 
died January 28, 1868. Mr. Benson is still a resi- 
dent of Rush County, this State. Their children were 
John S., Ann, Martin, Walter M., Emily, Pendleton 
A., Beverly L., Luther and Richard. Our subject 
wa8 married in Rush County, Ind., November 10, 
1869, to Ellen G., daughter of Garrett and Nancy 
(Groves) Wikoff, and born in Rush County, Ind., 
February 10, 1847. To this union were born two 
children: Lena and Gertie. After marriage Mr. 
Benson settled in Fairview Township, where for four 
years he engaged in the manufacture of carriages. 
After this he moved on the farm where he at present 
resides. 

D. E. BEVER, farmer, Orange Township, was 
born in Rush ('ounty, Ind., November 12, 1832; son 
of John and Elizabeth (Heaton) Bever, natives of 
Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. John Bever was 
a son of Michael Bever, Sr., a native of Kentucky, 
born in 1779, and immigrated in 1817 to Rush County, 
Ind., where he remained until death. He was twice 
married, and had eleven children (five by his first 
wife); Susan, John, Elijah, Isaac, Elizabeth, David, 
Margaret, Nancy, Anna, Jane, and one who died ia 
infancy. The father of our subject was born near 
Lexington, Fayette Co., Ky., in 1806, and came with 
his parents to Rush County, Ind.', in 1818, where he 
and Elizabeth, daughter of John and Rachel H. Hea- 
ton, were united in marriage. They afterward settled 
in Orange Township, Payette Co., Ind., remaining 
some time, and subsequently purchased and moved 
on a farm in Rush County, where he has since resid- 
ed. His wife died in 1864 and he subsequently mar- 
ried Mary Hildreth. His children were as follows: 
Paulina (deceased), David E., John, Michael (de- 
ceased), James, Margaret H., Alice (deceased), 
Thomas, Morrison, George, Benjamin by his first 
wife and one by his second marriage, who died in in- 
fancy; our subject being the second in the family. He 
was married in Fayette County, Ind., January 4, 
1853, to Elizabeth Stephen, and shortly afterward 
settled on the farm which he now owns and where 
his wife died March 27, 1855. He subsequently mar- 
ried Lavina Stephen, a sister of the first wife, and 
who died August 23, 1863. Mr. Bever was again 
married, March 29, 1864, this time to Martha E. 
Stephen, a cousin of his previous wives. His chil- 
dren were Vincent (deceased), by first marriage ; 
Amanda, Samuel T., Rhoda J., by second wife, and 
Elizabeth, Lepha, Edis, Clifford W., Daisy, Mattie, 
Adolph (deceased), and Orville by his present wife. 

F. M. BILBY, farmer and live stock dealer, Fair- 
view Township, was born in Fayette County, Ind., June 



258 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



5, 1830; Bon of Stephen C. and Jane (Ludlow) Bilby 
the former born in Pennsylvania, September 26,1802, 
a son of John Bilby, a native of England, and vyhose 
father, a very v?ealthy man, was an officer of the 
King's Bench. John Bilby, when a young man, was 
invited to participate in a ball given on the occasion 
of the christening of a new ship. A large crowd of 
wealthy young people were present (he was the only 
member of his father's family) and, all intent on hav- 
ing a good time, did not notice that the vessel had set 
sail, until, in the morning, they found themselves out 
of sight of land. They were relieved of their fine 
clothes, jewelry and other valuables and brought to 
the United States, then involved in its war with Great 
Britain. John Bilby participated in the Revolution- 
ary war; subsequently settled in Pennsylvania, where 
he remained until his death. He was twice married 
and had a large family of children. Stephen C. (fa- 
ther of our subject) when quite young went to Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and learned the blacksmith's trade of 
George 0. Miller. He was married in New Rich- 
mond, same State, to Jane Ludlow, born in Clermont, 
Ohio, March 3, 1805, daughter of Henry and Sarah 
(Williamson) Ludlow. To this union were born Ju- 
lia A., Viola, Salone, Francis M. , Albert G., Jasper 
N. and Elizabeth J. After marriage Stephen Bilby 
settled in Newtown and engaged in his trade until 
1829, when he moved to Fayette County, Ind., and here 
died January 16, 1873. His widow survived him un- 
til February 24, 1884. Our subject was educated at 
Fairview Academy, Rush County, Ind., and taught 
school for several years. He was married, December 
10, 1854, to Dorcas A. Atlierton, born in Hamilton 
County, Ohio, February 17, 1832, daughter of Stout 
and Mary A. (Sater) Atherton. They have ten chil- 
dren: Charles M., Emerson A., Florence J., Clara 
O., Elmore W., Mariannia, Alva E., Morten L., Palm- 
er T. and Sherman. After marriage they settled in 
Harrison Township, but in a year moved to Posey 
Township, remaining there until 1866, when he pur- 
chased the farm in this township on which he has 
since resided. He owns over 600 acres of land. 

EMERSON A. BILBY, farmer, Columbia Town- 
ship, son of Francis M. and Dorcas A. Bilby, was 
born in this county, November 13, 1856. He was 
here married, September 6, 1881, to Rboda J., also a 
native of this county, born June 6, 1862, daughter of 
David E. and Lovina Bever, of Orange Township. 
One child deceased in infancy was born to this union. 
After marriage Mr. Bilby settled on his father's farm 
and after remaining one winter purchased and moved 
on his present farm, where he has since resided. He 
owns 116 acres of well-improved land. He is an 
energetic and much respected young man. 

GEORGE W. BOOE, farmer, Connersville 



Township, was born June 4, 1814, ou the well 
cultivated farm where he has ever since resided. 
His parents, Benjamin and Sarah (Harwood) 
Booe, were natives of one of the Carolinas, and 
soon after their marriage removed to Green 
County, Ky., where they resided some five years, then 
settled in Boone County, Ky., where Mr. Booe 
entered the United States service in the war of 1812. 
In December, 1813, he located on the farm where 
George W. now resides, and here the parents passed 
the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 
1839, and the mother in 1844. Our subject, 
strictly speaking, is one of the pioneers of this 
section, and has passed through the many privations 
usually undergone in the clearing up of a new coun- 
try. It is claimed for him that he was the first white 
child born in the county west of the West Fork of 
Whitewater River. He is familiar with the Indian 
scenes of his early life, having frequently come in con- 
tact with the various bands then roaming through this 
country, well knowing the Chief Ben Davis, elsewhere 
referred to iu this work. In October, 1836, Mr. 
Booe was united in man-iage with Elizabeth Moffett, 
a native of Tennessee, daughter of Samuel and Mary 
(Doddleson) Moffett, natives of Ireland, and to them 
have been born eight childi-en. 

ROBERT C. BRATTEN, Superintendent of Cem- 
etery, Connersville Township, was born in Staunton, 
Va., September 28, 1810, son of Peter and Frances 
(Patterson) Bratten, natives of Pennsylvia and Vir- 
ginia respectively. When our subject was qaite 
young his parents moved to Boone County, Ky., 
where Robert C. grew up and learned the brick and 
stone mason trade, which he followed until 1866. In 
1831 he removed to Grant County, Ky., and in 1835 
to the State of Indiana, locating at Lawrenceburg, 
where he remained until 1841, when he removed to Con- 
nersville, and here, since 1866, he has been occupied 
as the Superintendent of the City Cemetery, a position 
he has filled so long very acceptably to the citizens 
of the city and vicinity. On the 6th of March, 1832, 
Mr. Bratten was married to Harriet Woody ard, which 
union has been blessed with ten children, all of 
whom except one are deceased. In politics Mr. Brat- 
ten is a Republican. His first Presidential vote was 
cast for Jackson. He voted the Democratic ticket 
until the birth of the Republican party, with which 
he has since affiliated. Both himself and wife have 
been for forty years or more members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. They are respected and 
esteemed citizens. 

MICHAEL BROWN (deceased), late of Jennings 
Township, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., 
where he resided till 1835, when he removed with 
his family in a one-horse wagon to this county, but 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



259 



subsequently settled in Union County, Ind. He had 
nine children, four of whom were born in Pennsylya- 
nia: Samuel, Cyrus, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, 
Daniel, Hettie, Henry and John. Mr. Brown died 
November 13, 1879, his wife having preceded him 
August 19, 1879. Both were members of the Luther- 
an Church. Samuel Brown, one of the two repre- 
sentatives of their father's family in this county 
(the other being his brother Daniel, in East Conners- 
ville), was born in Lebanon County, Penn., January 
21, 1822. His education was received principally in 
the subscription schools of Indiana. Being a poor 
boy, these advantages were very much curtailed by 
his having to work for a living. He started out in 
life working in the harvest lield at $6.00 per month 
and thus got a start. His lirst marriage, in 1841, 
was with Elizabeth, daughter of Garland Stanley, by 
whom he had two children, Albert S. and Preston, 
and Mrs. Brown dying in 1848, at the age of thirty- 
one years, he married in 1849, for his second wife 
Sarah Stanley, sister of his first wife. By this union 
were born two children : Nathan and Joseph. This 
Mrs. Brown died in 1867, aged sixty- four years. In 
1869 Mr. Brown then married for his third wife 
Sarah Ellen, daughter of Nathan Stanley, who has 
borne him one child —Charley. Samuel Brown has 
prospered in life, and now owns 174 acres of excel- 
lent land, after settling his children in good homes. 
He is a self-made man in the strongest sense of the 
word, and is a respected and progressive citizen. He 
has held the ofiEce of Township Trustee seven years, 
and in the transaction of public business has shown 
good executive ability. 

CHARLES H. BROWN, farmer, Connersville 
Township, was born in Connersville, Ind., August 
28, 1840. His parents, William S. and Nancy (Mar- 
tin) Brown, were natives of Pennsylvania and Indi- 
ana, respectively, the former born April 15, 1816, 
and the latter November 30, 1818. They were mar- 
ried at Connersville, Ind., July 29, 1839, where they 
remained until 1850, at which time they moved to 
Connersville Township and purchased a farm on Sec- 
tion 4, where he engaged in farming and remained 
until 1862, when he moved to a farm on Section 5, 
which he had purchased previously, and there 
remained until his death, which occurred April 24, 
1883. His widow still lives on the farm. Their 
children are Charles H., Thomas M., George W., 
Sarah J. and Mary E. Our subject was married in 
this county, August 29, 1861, to Margaret E., daugh- 
ter of Richard W. and Phoebe (Carter) Williams, 
who was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 
9, 1840. Their family numbers seven children: 
Edwin F., Laura Y., William E., Richard E., Mary 
E., Cora B. and Alva M. In 1870 Mr. Brown moved 



on the farrn where he has since resided. He owns 
160 acres of fertile land, well-improved, with a fine 
residence and a magnificent fish pond in front, which 
he constructed in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

JOHN W. BROWN, farmer, Jackson Township, 
a native of Fayette County, Ind., was born December 
2, 1842; son of Barnet and Sarah A. (Smith) Brown, 
former a native of Maryland, latter of Pickens Dis- 
trict, S. C, and immigrated to Indiana in 1812, where 
Barnet Brown followed farming until his death. 
Our subject received a common school education. 
He was married May 19, 1867, to Miss Adelia I. 
Campbell, who was born June 2, 1849, which union 
has resulted in the birth of seven children: Charles 
M., Cora M., Minnie, William, Gertrude (died in 
infancy), Jasper and Ada. Mr. Brown is a F. & A. 
M., and a member of Ireland Grange, No. 1749. He 
belongs to the Universalist Church; an industrious, 
honest, upright citizen, highly respected by all his 
neighbors. He resides on Section 26. 

JOHN BUCHANAN (deceased) was born in 
Washington County, Va., July 25, 1784. His 
parents, Joseph and Ann (Wilson) Buchanan, were 
natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively. 
Mr. Buchanan was engaged in farming in his native 
county till about twenty-five years of age. In 1818 
he moved to Indiana and located in this county, where 
in 1820 he was married to Maria Smith, also a native 
of Washington County, Va., born in 1804 and a 
daughter of Tobias and Martha (Washam) Smith, who 
were born in the same county; came in 1812 to this 
county, where the mother died in 1818, the father in 
1836. About 1821 Mr. Buchanan purchased fifty 
acres of land, where his widow still resides, and to 
this he added till he owned 140 acres. Here he closed 
his life about 1867. He was always of a quiet dis- 
position, and was held in high esteem by all who 
knew him. Mrs. Buchanan is still living and is well 
preserved for one of her years. They were among the 
first settlers of the county and endured many hard- 
ships through their long lives of earnest toil. Mrs. 
Buchanan has given the charge of her farm to her 
nephew, Tobias Smith, who was born in Marion 
County, Ind., in 1855. His parents, Robert and 
Nancy (Sweeney) Smith, were natives of Virginia and 
Kentucky, respectively, and came to this State in 
1811. They are still living in Marion County. Mr. 
Smith resided with his parents till he was twenty-one 
years of age, and then began operations for himself. 
In 1878 he assumed charge of Mrs. Buchanan's farm, 
where he has since been engaged. He was married, 
in 1882, to Lizzie Sesserman, a daughter of Adam 
and Nancy (Bryant) Sesserman, and they have one 
child — Edward — born in 1883. Mr. Smith is an in- 



260 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



dustrioas, energetic younof farmer, and is succeeding 
well in bis chosen pursuit. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. 

C. H. BUNDRANT, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, one of the early settlers and old residents of 
this township, was born in Virginia, March 12, 1822, 
son of Thomas and Susan (Lockett) Bundrant, also 
natives of Virginia, and who came to this county in 
1830, where they died live years later, former in May, 
latter in September, 1835. Thomas Bundrant was a 
soldier in the war of 1812, and marched on foot from 
Harper's Ferry, Va., to Natchez, Miss. The paternal 
ancestors of our subject immigrated to this country 
from France ])rior to the Revolutionary war. At the 
death of his parents Mr. Bundrant was " bound out," 
as was the custom of those days, to William Brown, 
a tanner, whose widow still resides in Connersville. 
He served an apprenticeship of six years at this trade, 
and was subsequently Mr. Brown's partner in the 
business five years. He then purchased his present 
farm of eighty-five acres, on which he has since been 
engaged in the quiet pursuits of agriculture. He 
was married, May 13, 1852, to Misa Jane Branson, of 
Henry County, Ind. , daughter of William and Sarah 
(Pickering) Branson, and this union is blessed by 
one child — Edward L. Mr. Bundrant is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church; was formerly con- 
nected with the order of Sons of Temperance. His 
father's family, which was large, was early scattered 
among various States. Mary, wife of Mr. Waters, 
now resides in Kansas; Frances, wife of Mr. Williams, 
resides at Muncie, Ind. ; Adaline, now Mrs. Jordan, 
resides with her brother C. H. Mr. Bundrant has 
always lived a quiet life, and is highly esteemed in 
the community. In temperance work he has ever 
been a warm advocate; in politics an uncompromising 
Republican. 

JOHN JONES BURK, farmer, Jennings Town- 
ship, was born in Baltimore County, Md., October 2, 
1803. He is a son of Ulie and Rachel (Jones) Burk, 
natives of Maryland, who removed to Hamilton 
County, Ohio, in October of 1809, the trip being 
accomplished by team, consuming one month's time. 
Here they died at advanced ages. Our subject was 
six years old then, and was eai'ly inured to the hard- 
ships of the pioneer's life, with little or no advan- 
tages for securing an education. He was manned, in 
Hamilton County, Ohio, September 14, 1826, to 
Nancy Snyder, born in Pennsylvania March 6, 1809, 
a daughter of John and Frances (Barr) Snyder, 
Pennsylvanians of German descent. In 1832 Mr. 
Burk left Hamilton County, Ohio, and settled in 
Dearborn County, Ind., and in October, 1835, he moved 
to this township, having, the previous March, pur- 
chased 160 acres of land for which he paid $15.55 



per acre. He began life poor, but with the help ren- 
dered him by his estimable wife, with whom he lived 
fifty years, he overcame every obstacle and at one 
time owned 1,260 acres of land, 300 of which were in 
this county. He has tilled the offices of Justice of 
the Peace three terms and Township Trustee two 
terms. Mr. Burk has belonged to the Baptist Church 
for twenty years; his wife was also a member of the 
same denomination, as are the most of his children, 
eleven in all, ten of whom are now living; Mary J., 
Andrew J. (deceased), Sarah, Nancy, Rachel A., 
Maria F., Rebecca E. , Emily A., John S. , Greene and 
Stephen. Mrs. Burk died July 7, 1878. Mr. Burk 
has been a life-long Democrat and cast his first vote 
for " Old Hickory," Andrew Jackson. 

DANIEL BURRIS, farmer, Waterloo Township, 
was born in Fauquier County, Va., in 1817; son of 
Philip and Susan Burris, who located in Washington 
Township, Wayne Co., Ind., in 1830. They had 
seven children, two of whom, Thomas and Nancy, 
live in Wayne County, and two, Daniel and William, 
in this township. The father died in 1848 aged sev- 
enty years, and the mother four months previously at 
the age of sixty-eight years. Both were consistent 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their 
deceased children are Thornton, Bartley and Mary. 
Our subject was married in 1838, to Mary, daughter 
of John M. Layson. He resided in Wayne County 
till 1849, at which time he came to his present place. 
Eight children have been born to this union, six of 
whom are now living: John, Sarah, Nancy A., Mary 
E., Isaac and Ffancenia; Elmira and Susan are de- 
ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Burris have been members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Our 
subject owns at present 350 acres of good land, but 
before settling homes on his children he was one of 
the largest land-holders in the county. His fortune 
is the result of his own enterprise, he being a self- 
made man. 

CALVIN BURTON, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, one of the earliest settlers of this county, was 
born in South Carolina, July 29, 1805; son of Doug- 
las and Nancy (Osborn) Burton, who settled in Ken- 
tucky in October, 1813, and resided there till Octo- 
ber, 1819, when they moved to this county. Here on 
the wooded farm Mr. Burton's father died July 26, 
l820. There were twelve children in the family, 
eleven of whom came with their parents to this coun- 
ty, and most of whom became actual settlers of the 
same. The mother died February 12, 1853. She 
was a woman of many graces of character, an exem- 
plary member of the Christian Church. After her 
husband's death, with a heroism worthy of a pioneer 
mother, and by the help of her two sons, Calvin and 
Thomas, she kept her children together and the 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



261 



wolf from the door till they grew to manhood, respect- 
ability and usefulness. Calvin, our subject, was 
fourteen years old when he came to the wilds of Indi- 
ana. His father dying, the care of the family large 
ly devolve! upon him, and this prevented him from 
obtaining the ordinary common school education. He 
was married January 0, 1828, to Anne A., daughter 
of John D. and Marian (Scott) Stewart, who came to 
this locality in 1821. After his marriage Mr. Bur- 
ton located upon the present site of the Connersville 
Cemetery, where he remained about two years, and 
then moved to his present farm, which he rented 
until he purchased it in 1836. Here he has since 
resided. He began life with little save a good wife 
and a willingness to work, and right well they have 
done their part. Mr. Burton has seventy-six acres 
of well-improved land, and enjoys all the necessary 
comforts of life. He is a Republican, though his 
first Presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson 
in 1828. John D. Stewart, father of Mrs. Burton, 
was born in Maryland, May 8, 1782. Ho was reared 
in his native county, and in 1802 was married in 
Delaware to Miss Marian Scott, by whom seven chil- 
dren were born, two only now living — Anna and 
John. Mr. Stewart died February 21, 1823, his wid- 
ow June 29, 1839. His son William was at one time 
editor of the Connersville Observer, and became noted 
as a journalist. Mrs. Burton was born in Delaware, 
February 21, 1810. She is' a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and possesses much vigor of 
mind. Her memory is very retentive, and from her 
store of local facts the writer has largely drawn. 

JOSEPH CALDWELL, farmer, Harrison Town- 
ship. This highly-esteemed citizen and pioneer set- 
tler of the county is a native of Preble County, 
Ohio, where his birth occurred August 15, 1809. 
His parents were Joseph and Miriam (Chadwick) 
Caldwell, natives of North Carolina, and both mem- 
bers of the Society of Friends. Joseph Caldwell, 
Sr., in the early part of the century immigrated to 
Ohio, stopping for a season or so in the vicinity of 
the Great Miami River, in Warren County; from 
thence he removed to the vicinity of Fair Haven, in 
Preble County, the same State. In 1811 he located 
in what is now Harrison Township, this county, 
where on Christmas Day he completed his cabin; but 
the Indians becoming troublesome, the family re- 
turned to Preble County, Ohio, for a time. Finally 
a fort was built one mile north of what is now Har- 
risburg, and soldiers sent to garrison it, and the 
family then went there, living in this part until 
peace was restored, when they moved into the cabin. 
The sons and daughters born to Joseph Caldwell, Sr., 
and wife were: Margaret, John, Mary, James, Ann, 
Lydia and Joseph, all deceased save Lydia and Jo- 



seph. The father was a successful farmer and a 
resj)ected citizen. Politically he voted with the 
Whig party, being a strong anti-slavery man. His 
death occurred in the fall of 1850, his wife having 
preceded him in 1836. Our subject received the ben- 
efit of a practical education in the district schools of 
his time, and through his long life has been a tiller 
of the soil, in which vocation he has been reasonably 
successful. He now possesses the old homestead, 
some 156 acres of land finely improved. January 31, 
1888, he was married to Miss Asenath Powell, and to 
them were born: Enoch, Martha (wife of Buel J. 
Thomas), Caroline and Alexander. Mrs. Caldwell 
died November 3, 1844, and our subject was married 
on the second occasion, October 7, 1847, to Miss 
Salenah Saxon, a native of Indiana, by whom he had 
two children: Horace F. and Alice, now the wife of 
Homer L. Broaddus. Mr. Caldwell as Deputy once 
appraised the real estate of the township, has several 
times assessed the personal property thereof, and has 
served as Inspector of Elections. In 1850 he took 
the census of one of the three districts of the coun- 
ty, comprising the Townships of Connersville, Harri- 
son and Orange; also enrolled Harrison Township 
during the last war. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for Gen. Jackson, but has since voted with the 
Whig and Republican parties. He is well preserved 
for one of his years. 

ENOCH CALDWELL, farmer and cheese manu- 
facturer, Harrison Township, was born in Harrison 
Township, this county, October 29, 1833; a son of 
Joseph Caldwell, who located in Fayette County in 
1811. Our subject received a common school educa- 
tion, and has farmed all his life, excepting in the 
winters from 1855 to 1865, during which time he 
taught school. He was married. May 17, 1864, to 
Miss Sarah J. Scott, a native of Wayne County, Ind., 
born September 14, 1843. To this union were born 
five children: Cora C, Sylvia M., Myrtle E., Alice 
M. and Scott. Mr. Caldwell, his wife and daughter 
Cora C, are members of the Christian Church. He 
was Justice of the Peace for eight years. His enter- 
prising spirit induced him to establish a cheese fac- 
tory in 1878, in connection with the farming busi- 
ness; he now milks from thirty to fifty cows, and 
produces fine cheese, for which he finds ready sale. 

WILLIAM CARNEY, farmer, Orange Township, 
was born in Indiana County, Penn., December 3, 
1801; son of John and Ann (Cameron) Carney, 
natives of Pennsylvania, former of whom was born 
in 1782, son of Richard and Ruth (Clark) Carney, 
natives of Ireland, who in an early day (prior to 
the Revolutionary war) emigrated to the United States, 
and settled in Pennsylvania, where they remained 
until their death. The father and mother of our 



262 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



subject were married in Indiana County, Penn., 
whore they settled, and the mother dying, Mr. 
Carney married a Mrs. Smith. He was the father of 
nine children: Elizabeth, William, Findley, John, 
Thomas, Phebe, Julia A., by first marriage, and 
Martha and Smith by second marriage. William 
Carney, our subject, was married in Indiana County, 
Penn., in 1823, to Martha, also a native of Indiana 
County, born in 1801; daughter of Samuel Thomp- 
son. To this union were born nine children: Eliza, 
John (deceased), Findley, Martha, Jane (deceased), 
William, Mary (deceased), Sarah (deceased), and 
Elizabeth. After his marriage our subject settled in 
his native county, where he remained until 1834, 
when he moved to Rush County, Ind. , and about four 
years later to Fayette County, subsequently returning 
to Rush County; from there he went to Wabash 
County, where he remained but a short time, and 
then returned to Fayette County, where he purchased 
and settled on the farm on which he has since resided. 
His wife died in November, 1865. He is a member 
of the United Brethren Church. He is highly 
respected by all who know him. 

E. I. CHANCE, merchant, Columbia Township, 
was born in Dearborn County, Ind., March 19, 1847; 
son of Hiram and Eliza (Thompson) Chance, latter a 
native of Indiana. Hiram Chance was a son of John 
Chance, a soldier of the war of 1812-14, who moved 
from Pennsylvania to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1817; 
then moved to Dearborn County, Ind., in 1821. He was 
the father of twelve children: Thomas, Robert, Jessie, 
Lucinda, Catharine, Hiram, John, Perry, Lucetta, 
Mary, Elizabeth and Jackson. Hiram, the father of 
our subject, was born in Hamilton County Ohio, in 
1819, was brought to Dearborn County, Ind., in 1821. 
He was there united in marriage in 1842, with Eliza 
Thompson, born in Dearborn County, Ind., in 1822, 
daughter of Dorus and Sarah (King) Thompson, who 
came from New York to Dearborn County, Ind. in 1816, 
where they remained till their death. They were the 
parents of seven children: Emeline, Alonzo, Eliza, 
Edgar, Levinas, John and Euretta, Mr. and Mrs. 
Hiram Chance had a family of six children: Virgil 
Eugene, Euphrates Irvin, Eldorado, Leander Vanda- 
man, EfBe Nevada, and Sarah, who died in infancy. 
Our subject was educated at Moore's Hill College, 
Moore's Hill, Ind., and there engaged in teaching school 
for twelve successive years, after which he was Deputy 
Postmaster at Lawrenceburg one year, and served as 
agent for the Adams Express Company some time. 
In 1880 he with his brother Leander V. came to 
Alpine and purchased a stock of goods of J. D. New- 
house, and has since engaged in mercantile business. 
He is at present Postmaster at Alpine, and agent of 
the American Express Company; is Trustee of Co- 



lumbia Township. Mr. Chance is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. 

SAMUEL CLAWSON, farmer, Orange Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., April 25, 1833, son 
of William G. and Charlotte (Huston) Clawson, 
natives of Montgomery County, Ohio, where they 
were married. They subsequently moved to Mont- 
gomery County, Ind., and from thence, in an early 
day, to Fayette County, Ind., where they remained 
until their death, Mr. Clawson dying in February, 
1882, his wife, December, 1880. Their children 
were: Nancy, Elizabeth, Samuel, Eunice, Alfred, 
George, Isaac, Gan-et, John W., William, Jesse, 
James and Lee. Samuel, our subject, was married at 
Glenwood, Ind., in November, 1857, to Francenia, 
daughter of William H. and Sarah (Diurbon) Oliphant, 
having by her three children: William, Mary A. and 
Susan. Mr. Clawson was married on second occasion, 
April 18, 1872, to Mary A., daughter of Samuel and 
Ursula (Calfee) Clark, and who was born in Franklin 
County, Ind., September 23, 1848. Our subject owns 
eighty acres of excellent land in this county. He is 
a worthy citizen and highly respected. 

AUSTIN B. CLAYPOOL, farmer, Connersville 
Township, was born in Connersville, Ind., December 
1, 1823, son of Newton and Mary (Kerns) Clay- 
pool, whose lives are referred to elsewhere in this 
work. Our subject grew up in his native town and 
on his father's farm near by, receiving the advantages 
of the good common schools the town afforded. 
May 20, 1846, he was united in marriage with Han- 
nah A. Petty, a native of Wayne County, this State, 
where she was born January 2, 1828, being a daugh- 
ter of Williams Petty, one of the most successful 
pork traders and packers in the locality at that time. 
To them wore born eight children, four of whom are 
living, viz : Virginia, Marcus, Lizzie and Frank, all 
of whom graduated from good institutions of learn- 
ing. The greater portion of the decade succeed- 
ing his marriage Mr. Claypool resided in Wayne 
County, Ind., and up to its close he had speculated 
quite extensively in land, having in 1845 purchased 
240 acres in Fayette County, which were not held 
long. Subsequently he made a purchase of 560 acres 
in Wayne County at $30 per acre, which he disposed 
of at $70 per acre. Mr. Claypool removed to Con- 
nersville and purchased a controlling interest in the 
branch of the old State Bank located there, and for a 
period of three years served as its President. Dur- 
ing the war his business life was again marked by an- 
other extensive land purchase and sale which involved 
considerable money and none the less business judge- 
ment and foresight, yet he was not wanting in the 
latter nor in nerve for so great an investment, for 
time proved the success of the speculation, which 



PAYETTE COUNTY. 



263 



was the purchase of 900 acres of land in Fayette 
County for $52,000 and its disposal for $72,000. 
Subsequently he purchased an extensive paper mill 
at Milton, Ind., and which within a year and a half 
thereafter was destroyed by tire, entailing a loss of 
$50,000. He having (1865) organized in the village 
of Miltou the Citizens' Bank, which (being its act- 
ing President) he carried on four years, when he 
closed it up. Mr. Claypool was conspicuously iden- 
tified with many of the internal improvements of the 
Whitewater Valley, and closely allied with agricult- 
ural interests of the county and to the public has 
given his great energies and broad business capacity. 
In 1861, during the building of the Cincinnati, Hamil- 
ton & Indianapolis Eailroad through Connersville, 
he was chosen one of the Directors and was one of 
the few men that stood good for all the iron to lay 
the tracks from Liberty to Connersville. He was 
also one of the few men that organized the Conners- 
ville & New Castle Junction Eailroad, being an act- 
ive Director during its construction. He assisted in 
the organization of the Fayette County Joint Stock 
Agricultural Society, and for a period of eight years 
was an active member of the State Board of Agricult- 
ure. He was instrumental in the organization of 
the Bentonville & Lockport Turnpike Company, 
and in the construction of its pike. On the death of 
his father, in 1866, Mr. Claypool inherited the old 
country homestead and moved upon it, where he has 
since resided, in the meantime having platted that 
portion of the homestead where the beautiful village 
of Maplewood is located. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and Masonic orders, having represented 
both in their respective Grand Lodges. In politics 
he is a Republican. He is a very affable gentleman, 
unostentatious and unassuming. 

BENJAMIN CLIFFORD, Harrison Township, 
was born near Sheffield, Vt., August 21, 1815. His 
parents, Jonathan and Sarah (Pierce) Clifford, moved 
to E''ayette County, Ind., in 1825, locating in Harrison 
Township, where the former farmed. He died in 
1826, and his widow in 1846. Our subject obtained 
a common school education. He embarked in the 
dry goods business with two of his brothers in Fair- 
view and there remained till the spring of 1839, when 
he sold out and engaged in the same line of business 
by himself in Rawley till the fall of 1843, and in 
1844 moved to his present farm. He married, Octo- 
ber 19, 1837, Miss Mary Smith, born in Kentucky, 
January 25, 1820, and to this union were born nine 
children: Sarah A.,Pamelia A., Irvin L., Margaret J., 
Mary E., Ambrosia, John F., Fremont, Horace A. 
Our subject was School Director from 1870 to 1874. 
The Connersville and Fairview Pike was built in 
1859, and in 1860 he was elected one of the Board, 



which office he continued to fill most of the time to 
the present, and has been President of the company 
for the last seven or eight years. He was a promi- 
nent member of Harrison and Highland Granges. 
He is a member of the Universalist Church. Irvin 
L., the eldest son, enlisted in Company B, Fifth In- 
diana Cavalry, in 1861, and served until the close of 
the war. He was in prison at Andersonville, Charles- 
ton and Florence, but was finally liberated by Sher- 
man on his march to the sea. He was a private sol- 
dier, lost his health and never again will be well in 
the flesh. 

IRVIN L. CLIFFORD, farmer, Fairview Town- 
ship, was born in Rush County, Ind., June 10, 1843. 
He is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Smith) Clifford, 
of Han-ison Township, this county, whose sketch ap- 
pears above. During the late war of the Rebellion, 
August 12, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company B, 
Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and served until July 16, 
1865, when he was discharged and returned home. 
During his service he participated in several hard- 
fought battles. At Macon, Ga., where the company 
surrendered, Mr. Clifford was taken prisoner and con- 
fined in Andersonville and other Rebel prisons for 
seven months. He was married August 16, 1866, to 
Catherine D., daughter of John V. and Catherine 
(Miller) Lindsey, and born in this county July 1, 
1846. To this union were born the following chil- 
dren: Lola L., Mary K. C. , Lena and Josie. After 
his marriage Mr. Clifford first settled in Harrison 
Township, but in about one year moved on the old 
Lindsey farm in Fairview Township, and two years 
later purchased and moved on the farm where he now 
lives. He is a tine man, a member of the Odd Fel- 
lows and of the G. A. R. 

JOHN V. CLIFFORD, farmer, Fairview Town- 
ship, was born at Connersville, Fayette Co., Ind., 
November 26, 1846, son of William and Eliza- 
beth A. (Lindsey) Clifford, natives of Indiana and 
Kentucky, respectively. William Clifford was a son 
of John Clifford, who was born in Barnet, Caledonia 
Co., Vt., June 12, 1797, and in an early day immigrat- 
ed to Kentucky, where he was married, October 5, 
1823, to Lucretia Tibbets, born at Bangor, Penobscot 
Co., Me., Septembers, 1806. Shortly after marriage 
they removed to Rush County, Ind., where Mrs. Clif- 
ford died February 9, 1837. He subsequently went 
to Hamilton County, Ind., where he was again mar- 
ried, November 20, 1837, this time to Nancy Hall, and 
shortly afterward removed to Indianapolis, where he 
died February 14, 1884. He was the father of ten 
children: William, Amanda M., Amos, Edward H, 
Harrison, Almeda, John E., Miles, Benjamin F. and 
Vincent G. William, the eldest (father of our sub- 
ject), was born in Rush County, Ind., August 29, 



264 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



1824, and married in Fayette County, December 28, 
1845, to Elizabeth A. Lindsay, born in Garrard 
County, Ky., October 4, 1829, daughter of John V. 
and Catherine Lindsey. Shortly after their marriage 
they settled at Connersville, Ind. , but subsequently 
moved on a farm near Fairview. Later he opened a 
store at Fairview which he kept for about ten years; 
then moved to Rush County, Ind., and engaged in 
farming until 1860, when he moved to Jackson County, 
Mo., remaining about three years; thence returned to 
this county, and in 1862 removed to Indianapolis, 
where he still resides. His family numbered six chil- 
dren: John v., Alice A., Josie A., Belle, William L. 
and Lucretia. Our subject, the eldest, was married 
in this county, January 10, 1871, to Sarah J., daugh- 
ter of David and Sarah (Knick) Siders, and born in 
Buckingham County, Va., April 4, 1841. To this 
union were born two children: Walter D. and Ida M. 
In the year following their marriage they settled on 
the farm where they have since resided. They are 
both members of the Christian Church. 

ANDREW M. B. COLE, retired, Posey Town- 
ship, was born in Botetourt County, Va., November 
27, 1804, son of Samuel and Catherine (Bryan) Cole, 
natives of Virginia, who settled in Posey Township, 
Fayette Co., Ind., in 1826. They had nine children, 
of whom two, Andrew M. B. and William, are now 
living. Samuel Cole died January 1, 1849, aged 
eighty years; Catherine, his wife, died September 7, 
1844, aged seventy -seven years. Andrew M. B. came 
to this township with his brother-in-law, E. K. Hun- 
ger, in 1822, but remained only a short time, when 
he went back to Virginia, and returned with his par- 
ents in 1826. Our subject was married, in 1828, to 
Mahala, daughter of Jeremiah Gard, who came here 
from Butler County, Ohio, in 1824. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Cole were born eleven children, ten of whom 
are now living: Perry, Philip, Melvin, Catherine, 
Elizabeth, Jeremiah, Sarah Jane, Sanford, Benjamin 
and Morrison V. Alvin is deceased. Mrs. Cole died 
May 8, 1882, aged seventy -two years. The entire 
family are members of the Christian Church. To 
Mr. Cole belongs the credit of building the first 
cabin in Bentonville, and having helped to erect the 
first church. Ho was an adherent, at first, of the 
Whig party, and cast his first vote for Henry Clay; 
since the organization of the Republican party he 
has voted with it upon all questions at issue. He 
started in life poor, followed carpentering a number 
of years, and in the main has been successful. 

JOSEPH COLE, retired farmer, Waterloo Town 
ship, was born in Maryland, February 7, 1808, son 
of Joseph and Sophia Cole, natives of Maryland, 
where they lived and died. The boyhood of our sub- 
ject was passed on the farm and in the woolen miile. 



His parents dying when he was young, he was put at 
a trade which did not agree with him, and which he 
abandoned. In November, 1838, he removed to Ohio, 
and, in the following February, to Wayne County, 
Ind., adjoining the Fayette County line, where he 
lived eight or ten years, after which he settled where 
his son J. J. now resides. Subsequently he settled in 
Waterloo, where of late he has enjoyed quiet retire- 
ment. At one time Mr. Cole owned 1,000 acres of 
as good land as there was in the county. He has set- 
tled his children well in life, all of whom are well- 
to-do and respected citizens. He is a self-made man, 
having inherited only $500 from his father. Indus- 
try, perseverance and economy, with excellent busi- 
ness judgment, enabled him to cope successfully with 
the affairs of life, in which he has been abundantly 
rewarded. Mr. Cole was married in 1831, to Patience 
Foster, who bore him sis children, three of whom were 
born in Maryland: Anna M., wife of W. C. Forey; 
Frances M., wife of George M. Harland; Alfred G. ; 
Sarah F., wife of Jacob Stephens; Sophia E., wife 
of I. A. Lavrrence, and Joseph J. Mrs. Cole died in 
1866, aged about sixty years. Joseph J. Cole was 
born in Wayne County, Ind., August 27, 1843. He 
received a good education in the district and graded 
schools. He was married, August 3, 1864, to Mar- 
garet, daughter of Benjamin Thomas, of this county, 
who has borne him five children, four of whom are 
living: Lillie Maude, Effie P., Joseph J. and Benja- 
min W. Harry C. is deceased. Mr. Cole's farm con- 
tains 160 acres of good land. He is one of the enter- 
prising and public spirited young farmers of the 
county, and keeps well up with the times in which he 
lives. 

A. S. CONAWAY, farmer. Orange Township, was 
born near Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., March 1, 
1813. His parents were Reuben and Amelia (Ship- 
ley) Conaway, both natives of Maryland and of Irish 
and German descent. The former was a son of 
Charles Conaway, also a native of Maryland, and 
whose father, Samuel Conaway, a native of Ireland, 
immigrated to Maryland when quite young and there 
married Ruth Howard, subsequently moving to this 
county, where he remained until death. He was the 
father of a large family, of whom Charles, the grand- 
father of our subject, was the eldest. Charles was born 
in Maryland about the year 1764, was there married in 
1785 to a Miss Shephard and subsequently moved to 
Fayette County, Penn. From there he moved to 
Monongalia County, Va., where he died in 1831. 
He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
for many years previous to his death. He was the 
father of five children, of whom Reuben, the father of 
our subject, was second. Reuben was born in Maryland 
in 1788, and came with his parents to Fayette County, 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



265 



Penn., where he and Amelia Shipley were united in 
marriage in 1809. She was born in Maryland in 
1790. In 1815 they moved to Butler County, Ohio, 
and in 183G to Rush County, Ind., where he died in 
1834; his widow died in 1836. Their children were 
Mary, Amon S. (our subject), Henry, Rebecca, Ruth, 
Reuben and Charles. Our subject came with hia par- 
ents to Butler County, Ohio, where he was married 
May 24, 1834, to Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and 
Mary (Shipley) Griffin, and in September, 1835, 
moved to Fayette County, Ind., settling on the farm 
where he now lives. He is one of the most extensive 
farmers of Fayette County. He had at one time 1,300 
acres of fine land of which he has given the principal 
part to his children, still owning 460 acres. His 
wife died October 14, 1837, and he was again married, 
on second occasion April 18, 1849, to Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Benedict and Abigail (Randolph) Shipley. 
Our subject had eighteen children, nine of whom are 
now living: H. ; Elizabeth; Mary; Amanda; Esther; 
Ada; Walter; George; and Sarah. 

BENJAMIN V. CONNER, farmer, Jackson 
Township, is a native of Kentucky, born in Boone 
County, July 17, 1817. His parents, Reuben and 
Nancy (Finnel) Conner, were also born in Boone 
County, Ky., the father September 29, 1777, the 
mother January 12, 1784. They came to Indiana 
in 1819 and located in Columbia Township. The 
names of their ten children were — John F., Sarah, 
Greenup, Carventer, Daniel, Robert, Benjamin F. , 
Weden, Reuben and Martha, of whom only three 
are now living: Greenup, Carventer, and Benjamin 
F. The father, who was a farmer all his life, died 
Jufy 29, 1847, his widow May 10, 1870. Our sub- 
ject's educational facilities were limited. He was 
united in marriage, October 3, 1837, with Miss Mary 
J. Gains, who was born in Boono Count}', Ky. , April 
20, 1814, daughter of William M. and Sarah (Rucker) 
Gains, the former born in Orange County, Va., Jan- 
uary 30, 1777, the latter in Madison County, same 
State, June 20, 1782. They had a family of six chil- 
dren: Angus, Henry T., Richard G., Mary J., Benja- 
min A., and Susan C, three of whom are now living: 
Henry T. , Mary J., and Benjamin A. Mr. Gains 
died October 21, 1836, his widow August 21, 1858. 
Mr. and Mrs. Conner have had two children: William 
M., born October 7, 1840, died June 16, 1879, and 
Amanda J., born September 16, 1842, died August 
18, 1843. In 1848 they adopted a child— Catharine 
—who was born June 20, 1844. Their son enlisted 
September 16, 1861, in Company G., Thirty-sixth 
Ind. V. I., served three years, and returned home 
broken down in health. Mr. Conner resides on Sec- 
tion 26, on a farm comprising 166 acres of excellent 
land. Himself, wife and daughter are members of 



the Old School Baptist Church, in which he has been 
Clerk and Deacon for years. 

JOHN M. CONNER, farmer, Columbia Town- 
ship, was born in Fayette County, Ind., July 7, 1818. 
Ho is one of the eleven children born to Elder John 
and Mary (Dicken) Conner, natives of Virgini . He 
was married in Franklin County, Ind., September 
23, 1856, to Emeline, daughter of William and Jane 
(Eates) Harvey, and born in Franklin County, Janu- 
ary 3, 1836, the youngest of nine children: Frances 
A., William L., Tobitha J., Oliver O., Jane C, 
Franklin M., Sarah C, Milton B., and Emeline. 
Her parents were natives of Laurens County, S. C, 
the father born in 1788, and the mother in 1792. 
They moved with their parents, in an early day, to 
Franklin County, Ind., where they were married, and 
there remained until his death, which occurred in 
1862. The widow subsequently moved to Hancock 
County, Ind., of which she is still a resident. He 
was a soldier in the war of 1812 under Gen. Robert 
Hannah. After his marriage our subject settled on 
the farm of 200 acres where he has since resided. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Conner were born five children: 
Jenet (deceased), Rosetta (deceased), Frances J., 
(deceased,) Mary A. and Cathie C. Our subject and 
wife are members of the Old School Baptist Church; 
also members of the P. of H. 

REV. HENRY D. CONNER, farmer, Columbia 
Township, was born in Fayette County, Ind., March 7, 
1821, son of Rev. John and Mary (Dicken) Conner, 
the former a Baptist minister, both natives of Vir- 
ginia. Rev. John Conner was born May 1 7, 1774, and 
was a son of Rev. John Conner, a Baptist preacher 
and an old Revolutionary soldier, who emigrated from 
Ireland to the United States in a very early day. He 
was twice married, and was the father of eleven chil- 
dren: Philemon, Elizabeth, John, Reuben, Lewis, 
Frances, Sarah, James, Daniel and William. John, 
the father of our subject immigrated to Boone 
County, Ky. , when a young man, and was there mar- 
ried, December 24, 1801, to Mary Dicken, who was 
born October 5, 1782. In 1811 he moved to Harrison 
County, Ohio, and in 1813 to Fayette County, Ind., 
settling in Columbia Township, where he remained 
until his death. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; 
was a minister of the Baptist Church for about forty 
years previous to his death. He served as Justice of 
the Peace of Columbia Township for nearly thirty 
years. He is supposed to have been the first man to 
solemnize marriage in Fayette County. He was an 
excellent man, well respected by all who knew him. 
He died February 16, 1843; his widow died Septem- 
ber 28, 1858. Their children were: Frances, Phil- 
emon, John R., James M., Wilson, William, Joel D., 
John M., Henry D., Elizabeth and Nancy. Our sub- 



266 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



jeet was married in Franklin County, Ind. , Sep- 
tember 10, 1846, to JaneC, daughter of William and 
Jaae (Ester) Harvey, and afterward settled on the 
farm where he has since resided. She died May 29, 
1867, and he was again married in Henry County, 
Ind., October 28, 1868, to Rebecca, daughter of David 
and Jane (Murdock) Vance, born in Henry County, 
Ind., December 25, 1830, one of nine children: Will- 
iam H., Rebecca, Susan, Mary, Samuel V., Sarah E., 
John M., Elizabeth C. and Rosalee. Her parents 
were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1803, 
the mother in 1807. They were married in Virginia, 
and from thence moved to Henry County, Ind., in 
1829, where they remained until their death. He died 
in 1877, his widow in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are 
members of the Old School Baptist Church, he being 
ordained a minister June 3, 1854. He had born to 
him three children, all by his second wife: William 
H., Samuel D. and Jennie V. 

COLUMBUS COOK, farmer, Waterloo Township, 
was born here in 1835. His father, William Cook, 
was born in Lancaster County, Penn., November 11, 
1800, son of Conrad Cook, a native of Pennsylvania, 
who settled in Warren County, Ohio, where he lived 
for a time; he subsequently settled in Fountain 
County, Ind., where he died. By his first wife (nee 
Miss Heck) he had eight children: Mary A., Eliza- 
beth, William, Nancy, Phebe, Jnmes, Maiidan and 
Sarah J. By his second wife {nee Miss Dawson) he 
had two children: Clarissa and Elvira. William 
Cook was first married to Mary Ann Baldwin, of Ohio, 
by whom he had four children: Sarah J., W. T., 
John M. and Mary Ann. He came from Ohio in 1828 
to this township, but soon after removed to Indiana- 
polis, where his wife died in 1832. After this sad 
event he returned to Waterloo Township, and pur- 
chased land, where he resided the rest of his life. 
His second marriage was with Elizabeth, daughter of 
Jesse Dawson, who bore him tive children: Mary E., 
Columbus, Phoeba E., Nancy C. and Hannah M. He 
died July 8, 1870; his widow March 13, 1884, aged 
seventy-five years. Both were devoted Christians and 
members of the Methodist Church. The subject of 
this sketch lived on the old homestead till he was 
forty-five years old. In 1879 he was married to Mary 
E. Tucker, by whom he had one child — Luroy. He owns 
eighty acres of good land, which are well-improved. 
He is a temperate man in every particular, and much 
respected. 

ELIJAH A. CORBIN, farmer, Jackson Township, 
is a native of that township, where he was born Feb- 
ruary 17, 1821, sun of Elijah and Sarah (Milliner) 
Corbin, the former born in Virginia in 1779, the lat- 
ter in Pennsylvania, March 22, 1784. Elijah Corbin 
was a cabinet-maker, and carried on a farm by proxy. 



He came to Indiana in 1817, locating in Jackson 
Township, where he served as Justice of the Peace 
for sixteen years, and as Township Trustee for a long 
period. His death occurred November 8, 1863, and 
that of his wife October 7, 1852. The subject of this 
sketch was married, January 16, 1841, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Flinn, of Ohio, and to them was born, March 24, 
1843, William H., who enlisted in Company K, 
Sixty-ninth Regiment, and was killed at Champion 
Hills; shot May 1, 1803, died following day. His wife 
dying February 2, 1844, Mr. Corbin married, on sec- 
ond occasion, March 13, 1845, Elizabeth J. Myers, 
who was born May 17, 1824, and died December 14, 
1845. He was again married March 19, 1848, this 
time to Keturah Caroline Myers, who was born August 
5, 1826. By this union there were the following chil- 
dren: Sarah E., born March 3, 1849; Eliza H.,born 
May 25, 1851; Menerva S., born November 8, 1853; 
Mary E. , born February 4, 1855; Hannah F., born 
May 1, 1860; Charles A., born March 4, 1805; John 
M., born February 22, 1873, died July 4, 1876. Mr. 
and Mrs. Corbin are members of the Methodist Church. 
He belongs to the Fayette Protection Society. His 
father was one of the charter members of the Masonic 
Lodge instituted in Connersville, Ind., in 1820. Our 
subject commenced life a poor boy; has been very 
successful, and now owns 360 acres of land. He is a 
Republican in politics. 

ELIAS B. COX, farmer, Orange Township, 
was born in Franklin County, Ind., September 7, 
1823. His parents, Jacob and Anna (Pasley) Cox, 
moved in a very early day from Ohio to Franklin 
County, Ind., where they remained several years, and 
then moved to De Kalb County, 111., and subsequently 
to Indianapolis, where they remained until their 
death. They were the parents of six children: Sarah 
A., Mary, Lucinda, Louisa, Emily and Elias B. Our 
subject, next to the eldest of the children and the 
only son, when about twenty-one years of age began 
an apprenticeship to the carpentering trade, which 
he completed and then followed until 1862, in 
which year he enlisted, July 6, in Company K, Sixty- 
ninth Ind. V. I., and served until wounded at the 
battle of Port Gibson, Miss., May 1, 1863, receiving 
a rifle ball through the right wrist, which necessi- 
tated the amputation of his hand, thereby disabling 
him from further service. He was discharged at St. 
Louis, Mo., July 24, 1863, after which he came to 
Fayette County, Ind. Here he was married to Julia 
A., daughter of Elias and Elizabeth Matney, who was 
born in this county, January 12, 1S38, and to this 
union were born nine children: Mary F., Anna M. , 
Ida B., William G. John L., Frank, Estella, Edward 
(deceased) and an infant daughter deceased. After 
his marriage Mr. Cox settled in Orange Township, 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



267 



and subsequently purchased and moved on the farm 
where he lives at present. He owns forty acres of 
fine land. 

VV. G. CREELMAN, farmer, Orange Town- 
ship, was born in Fayette County, Ind. , on the farm 
where he now resides, October 18, 1829, son of 
George and Nancy (Dill) Creelman, natives of Ireland, 
the former of whom was a son of William Creelman, 
also a native of Ireland, where he married Rosannah 
Crawford, who died there in 1818. In 1819 he immi- 
grated to Ohio, settling first in Preble County, and 
in 1821 removed to Fayette County, Ind., settling on 
a farm four miles southeast of Connersville, where he 
remained until his death. He was the father of seven 
children: Barbara, who died in Ireland in 1818; 
Mary, who died in Ireland some years after; Margaret, 
Jane, Rosannah, Nancy and George, the father of 
our subject, who was nest to the youngest of the chil- 
dren and the only son. He was born in Ballywaney, 
County Antrim, Ireland, in May, 1786, and came with 
his father to Ohio in 1819. In 1820 he came to Con- 
nersville, prospecting, and shortly after returned to 
Ohio. In 1821, in company with his father, he came 
back to Fayette County, and was here married to 
Nancy, daughter of .David and Margaret (Campbell) 
Dill. Her parents were natives of Ireland and came 
to the United States in 1820, and in 1822 to Fayette 
County, Ind. She was born in Aughadreena, County 
Donegal, Ireland, in 1789. After marriage Mr. 
Creelman settled on the farm where our subject now 
lives, which he improved from its wild state and on 
which he remained until the fall of 1844. From 
1844 to 1846 he resided near Rushville, Ind., and 
removed in the latter year to Randolph County, 111., 
where he remained until 1854, when he came to his 
old farm in Fayette County, Ind. Here he resided 
until his death, which occurred March 7, 1880, his 
wife having preceded him September 24, 1862. 
Their children were — Margaret A., who died Septem- 
ber 4, 1855, at the age of twenty-seven years, eight 
months and four days, and William G., our subject, 
who remained with his father up to the letter's death. 
He now owns and lives on the old homestead. The 
parents and sister of our subject were consistent 
members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. W. 
G. Creelman, as was his father, is a Republican in 
politics, an honorable, upright and industrious citi- 
zen, and a kind neighbor, a man possessing paternal 
affectiou and appreciating the many hardships and 
privations undergone by his pioneer parents in carv- 
ing out of the wilderness a home for himself and those 
coming after him. 

JOHN M. CULBERTSON, farmer. Orange Town- 
ship, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, April 20, 
1837. His parents, John C. and Jane M. (Moodey) 



Culbertson, were both natives of Pennsylvania. John 
C. was a son of Col. Robert Culbertson, who was born 
at Shippensburg, Ponn., July 23, 1755, of Scotch- 
Irish descent. He was married at Middle Spring, 
Penn., in 1778, to Anna Duncan, born at that place 
October 16, 1755, and after marriage they settled at 
Shijapensburg, where they resided until their death. 
He was a Captain and a Colonel in the Revolutionary 
war. He died July 26, 1801, and his widow March 
30, 1827. Their children were: Joseph, William, 
Robert, Alexander, Samuel, William C, Mary A,, 
Stuart, Robert W., Stephen, Mary and John C, 
the father of our subject, who was born in Ship- 
pensburg, September 19, 1791. He married Miss 
Margaret Hamilton, of Lancaster, Penn., who died 
about two years afterward. They had one daughter — 
Margaret J. He subsequently married Jane Moodey, 
born November 9, 1809. On the breaking-out of the 
war of 1812 he enlisted and served until the battle 
of Lundy's Lane, where he received a severe wound 
in the leg, which disabled him from further service. 
He then engaged in trading with the Indians for 
some time, and about 1829 moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and entered the banking business, which he pursued 
until a few years previous to his death, which occurred 
April 25, 1868. His widow is residing in Cincinnati, 
Ohio. Their children were: Ann E., John M., Mary 
J., Joseph A, Eliza D. , Henry C, Samuel, Anna M., 
William, Robert, Frank and two who died in infancy. 
John M., our subject, was married, June 17, 1862, to 
Catherine, daughter of John and Mai-y (Kelly) Don- 
nelly, born in Boston, Mass., August 2, 1889. In 
1868 Mr. Culbertson moved to Fayette County, 
Ind., settling on the farm where he has since resided. 
He owns 240 acres of fine land, well improved. His 
family numbered nine children: Catherine E., Mary 
J., Alice C, John M., Robert (deceased), Margaret J., 
Henry C, Charles (deceased) and Ann E. 

THOMAS CURREY, farmer, Jackson Township, 
residing on Section 26, was born in Amherst County, 
Va., July 14, 1807; son of Thomas and Alcy (Gordon) 
Currey, the former born in Virginia, March 2, 1758, 
the latter March 2, 1762. They moved to Ohio in 1810, 
settling on the Big Miami, and in 1811 came to 
Franklin County, Ind., and in 1S40 to this county 
and township, where they died. The former, who had 
served two and a half years in the Revolutionary war, 
departed this life October 15, 1840, the latter Octo- 
ber 7, 1843. The subject of this sketch was married, 
December 16, 1830, to Miss Katharine Whitaker, 
who was born in Abingdon, Virginia, January 31, 
1811, daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Miller) Whita- 
ker, the former born in Virginia, February 10, 1788, 
the latter November 1 5, 1793. Mr. Whitaker died No- 
vember 4, 1814. His widow then moved to Indiana 



268 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



and died in Blooming Grove. May 22, 1864. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Currey were born following children: Nan- 
cy[A. ; Alcy Jane, born February 20, 1833, died June 
30, 1842; Sarah A., born August 22, 1834, died Octo- 
ber 10, 1868; Amanda; Catharine, born December 11, 

1836, died April 15, 1854; Keziah; Martha; Lucy, 
born Otober 18, 1842, died May 4, 1862; Mary E., and 
Thomas E. Mr. Currey settled in Jackson Township 
in 1839. He is a member of Everton Lodge, I. O. O. 
F., and of Ireland Grange No. 1749; an adherent of 
the Universalist Church. 

W. W. CURTIS, farmer, Posey Township, one of 
the most energetic and wide-awake farmers and stock- 
dealers of Posey Township, was born in Butler Coun- 
ty, Ohio, September 2, 1831. His parents, Daniel 
and Charlotte (Pocock) Curtis, were natives of Mary- 
land, and in an early day moved to Butler County, 
Ohio, where they were married and remained until 
their deaths. Daniel Curtis was a soldier in the war 
of 1812, and was a man highly respected, himself and 
wife being zealous members of and devoted workers 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the 
parents of nine children: Levi (deceased), Jane (de- 
ceased), Mary A. (deceased), Joseph, Tempry, James 
P., Sarah (deceased), Wesley W. and Nicholas. Our 
subject was married in Butler County, Ohio, Septem- 
ber 7, 1854, to Emeline F., daughter of Matthias 
and Harriet Brant, born in Butler County, Ohio, in 

1837. After his marriage Mr. Curtis settled six miles 
east of Hamilton, Ohio, where his wife died April 
4, 1859. In October of the same year he married 
Ellen Blue, and in March, 1864, moved to Fayette 
County, Ind., where he purchased and settled on 
the farm where he at present resides, owning in all 
276 acres of land. He had a family of eight chil- 
dren: Roseo B., Mary J. and Anna B., by first wife, 
and Valandingham, Lillie M., Sallie, Daisey and one 
deceased in infancy by last marriage. 

J. J. DAILEY, physician. Orange Township, was 
born in Connersville, Fayette Co., Ind., October 7, 
1827, son of William and Nancy (Frazee) Dailey, 
natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. Will- 
iam Dailey was a son of John Dailey, a native of 
England, and in an early day immigrated to Virginia, 
and thence moved to Kentucky, and subsequently to 
Fayette County, Ind., where he died about 1841. 
He was the father of sis children: William, Charles, 
Jesse, Sarah, Mary and Elizabeth. The father of 
our subject was born in Virginia in 1788, and went 
with his father to Kentucky, where he and Nancy 
Frazee were united in marriage. She was born in 
Kentucky in 1790. In 1819 they moved to Fayette 
County, Ind., settling at Connersville, where he 
practiced law for some time, and afterward moved on 
a farm five miles west, and here he engaged in farm- 



ing in addition to carrying on his profession. He 
was elected Bank Director of Indiana, in which 
capacity he served until his death, which occurred 
March 11, 1855. His widow survived him about 
thirteen years. They had a family of ten children: 
William, Ellen, Charles, Aaron, Jesse J., John, Eliz- 
abeth, Sarah, Mary and Anna. J. J., our subject, 
was chiefly educated in the home district schools of 
his vicinity, where he received a thorough common 
school education, and in 1846 he began the study of 
medicine (his brother William being his preceptor 
for four years), after which he attended the Eclectic 
Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio. On November 
19, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miriam H. 
Gray, who was born December 1, 1830, and to this 
union were born eight children: Mary A., Horace C, 
Lewis E., Joanna, William L., Jessie, Effie and 
Erskine. In the winter of 1853-54 our subject at- 
tended lectures again at the Eclectic Medical College 
of Cincinnati, Ohio, completing his education, and 
subsequently moved to Oxford, Benton Co., Ind., 
where he began the practice of medicine, which he 
pursued there until 1864, at which time he removed 
to this county, where he has since remained, engaged 
in the practice of medicine and in farming to some 
extent. The Doctor owns 115 acres of very tine, well- 
improved land, brought under a high state of cultiva- 
tion. He is a practical physician, well respected by 
all who know him. He is a F. & A. M. and a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. 

JASPER N. DAVIS, Sr., farmer, Connersville 
Township, came to this county with his parents in 
1814 and is therefore one of the earliest settlers of 
this locality. He was born in South Carolina, Sep- 
tember 25, 1812, and was but two years of age when 
he became an inhabitant of this then unbroken fron 
tier. His parents were natives of the Carolinas, de- 
scendants of the hardy and intelligent Scotch-Irish. 
They had nine children, all of whom grew to matur- 
ity and have since passed away, except Dulcina (now 
Mrs. Caldwell) and Jasper N. The father died in 
1858, the mother having preceded him in 1849. Mr. 
Davis lived with his parents till twenty-nine years of 
age. He obtained a fair education in the common 
schools of the neighborhood, supplementing this by 
a few months' study in the schools of Connersville. 
An afiliction in the form of white swelling visited 
him when at the age of nine years, rendering him a 
cripple for life and necessitating the adoption of 
light physical labor as a means of subsistence. Accor- 
dingly he took up the profession of teaching, in which 
he continued during a series of seven terms and then 
engaged in the nursery business, which chiefly occu- 
pied his time and attention for twenty years, though 
he did some farming and transacted public business 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



269 



in the meantime. In 1865 lie turned his attention to 
farming exclusively, and has since been engaged in 
that pursuit. From his father's estate Mr. Davis in- 
herited a good farm on which he resided till 1882, 
when he sold out and purchased his present home of 
forty acres. He was married in June, 1842, to Mi- 
randa S. White, a native of Fleming County, Ky. , and 
daughter of Nelson and Elizabeth (Perry) White. 
Their children are — Helen M., now Mrs. Alexander; 
Horace C, and Elizabeth A. (deceased). In 1838 Mr. 
Davis served as County Collector and has several 
times been elected to the office of Township Assessor. 
He is highly esteemed by the people in his communi- 
ty, both for his sterling qualities as a citizen aud his 
amiable character as a man. 

JASPER N. DAVIS, Jr., farmer, Connersville 
Township, was born in this county March 11, 1834, 
and is a descendant of Thomas J. and Maria (Ball) 
Davis, who were among the first settlers of this coun- 
ty. His paternal grandfather came from South Car- 
olina, and his grandfather Ball from Georgia. His 
parents were highly respected farmers. His father 
died in 1856; his mother is still living. Mr. Davis 
resided with his parents till grown to manhood, and 
obtained a fair education in the district schools. He 
was married at the age of twenty-six to Parmelia A., 
daughter of Benjamin Clifford, of Harrison Town- 
ship, and to this union were born six children: Mary 
M., Charles E., James M., Wheeler C, Benjamin F. 
and Clarence U. After his marriage Mr. Davis rented 
land for several years, and then purchased eighty 
acres in Fairview Township. About eight years later 
he sold this farm at a handsome profit and then pur- 
chased his present one of 120 acres, for which he 
paid the sum of $10,400. Here he has since been 
quite successfully engaged in the quiet pursuits of 
farm life, including stock-raising. His success in 
rearing hogs is perhaps unequaled by any other 
farmer in the county. On his farm is a tine pond, 
arranged expressly for the cultivation of German 
carp, a fish of which he has some very fine specimens. 
He is one of the most energetic farmers of this coun- 
ty, and his industry has been rewarded by an abund- 
ant harvest of the comforts of life. 

ZACHA.EIAH DAVIS, farmer. Orange Township, 
was born in Rush County, Ind., February 27, 1840; 
son of James and Mary (Murphy) Davis. His father 
was a son of Zaohariah Davis, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, where he married Miss Hannah DaviS, and in 
1816 moved to Franklin County, Ind., where he 
remained until his death. His widow is still resid- 
ing on the farm. Their children were — James, Da- 
vid, Keziah, Nixon, Mary, Samuel, John and Nelson. 
Our subject's father was born in Pennsylvania, June 
4, 1814, and came with his parents to Franklin 



County in 1816, and in 1837 he came to Rush Coun- 
ty, Ind. , and purchased a farm on the county line of 
Rush and Fayette, about two miles south of Fayette- 
ville, where he settled. He was there married May 
16, 1839, to Mary, daughter of James and Eunice 
(Seward) Murphy, who was born in Butler County, 
Ohio, January 17, 1821. After their marriage they 
remained on the farm south of Fayetteville until 
1845, when Mr. Davis purchased and removed on a 
farm in Rush County, Ind., about one and a half 
miles west of Fayetteville, where his wife died July 
23, 1867. He subsequently moved to Fayetteville, 
where he was again married, this time to Elizabeth 
Huston. He died October 27, 1882. His children, 
eleven in number, were — Zachariah, Morrison, Elbert 
H., Jesse, Margaret J., Sarah E., Hannah M., Fan- 
ny, David and Eunice, by first wife, and William C. 
by last wife. Oar subject was married in Rush Coun- 
ty, Ind., September 15, 1859, to Zenith N. Summers, 
born in that county June 29, 1843, daughter of Eli- 
jah and Penelope V. (Morris) Summers. After his 
marriage he settled first in Rush County, and subse- 
quently in Shelby County, thence returned to Rush 
County, and in 1871 came to Fayette County, settling 
on the farm where he now lives. His wife died July 
31, 1877. She was the mother of four children: Lo- 
rena, Cora, Fanny M. and Walter M. Mr. Davis was 
again married, this time at Rushville, May 18, 1879, 
to Maggie Neptune, widow of Noah Neptune, daugh- 
ter of Alexander and Lucinda (Adair) McLaughlin, 
and a native of Brookvilie, Franklin Co., Ind., born 
December 3, 1851. 

JAMES H. DEARMOND, farmer. Orange Town- 
ship, was born in Franklin County, Ind., July 5, 
1842; son of Marshall and Minerva (Allison) Dear- 
mond, the former of whom was born in Fleming 
County, Ky., in 1816, aud the latter in Fayette Coun- 
ty, Ind., in 1824. They were married in Franklin 
County, Ind., where they remained until 1848, when 
they moved to this county, and in 1859 to Randolph 
County, Ind., where they still reside. Their children 
were— James H., Mary E., William H. ,Orro, Edward 
J., Margaret A., Luella, Leroy and John W. Our 
subject attended the home district schools of Ran- 
dolph County, where he received a thorough educa- 
tion, and afterward engaged in teaching school for 
several years. June 3, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 
Fifty-fifth Ind. V. I., serving until September 6, 1862, 
after which he returned home. In 1867 he went to 
Buchanan County, Mo., where he engaged in teach- 
ing school until 1871, when he returned to Randolph 
County, and shortly afterward came to this county. 
Here he was married September 21, 1871, to Mary A., 
daughter of Lawrence and Mary Johnson, born in 
Fayette County, Ind., March 10, 1843, and by this 



270 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



unioi) were two children: Edna and Luella. Mrs. 
Dearmond dying April 8, 1875, oar subject wan again 
married November 28, 1877, this time to Joanna, 
daughter of Cornelius and Joanna Foley, born in 
Madison County, Ind., January 1, 1S57. Three chil- 
dren were born to this union: Charles L., Clifford 
and Marshall. 

JACOB DEHAVEN, farmer, Harrison Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., August 2, 1818. 
His parents, Isaac and Nancy (Stucker) Dehaven, were 
natives of Kentucky and came to this county in 1816. 
Our subject received a common school education. He 
was married, September 26, 1846, to Miss Vilet Davis, 
who was a native of Indiana. She died August 19, 
1881. Mr. Dehaven was married on second occasion 
March 18, 1883, to Sarah J. Lockhart. He is a kind- 
hearted, honest, upright citizen, and is comfortably 
situated in life. His father served in the war of 1812. 
JOHN DEHA.VEN, farmer. Harrison Township, 
is an enterprising young man, a native of Fayette 
County, born April 30, 1850, son of James I. and 
Eliza (Hamilton) Dehaven, natives of Indiana. Our 
subject had the benefit of a good common school edu- 
cation. He was married October 27, 1875, to Miss 
Kate Nichols, and by this union their home has been 
made more cheerful by the addition of a bright and 
shining light in the person of their little daughter — 
Nellie May. 

J. W. DICKEY, farmer, Fairview Township, was 
born in Fayette County, Ind., January 10, 18-47; son 
of Robert C. and Elizabeth (Worsham) Dickey, the 
former of whom was a son of John Dickey, a native of 
Ireland, and who in an early day emigrated with his 
parents to the United States, settling in what is now 
Fayette County, Ky. In 1815 he came to Fayette 
County, Ind., where he passed the remainder of his 
life. He was twice married and had eight children: 
Robert C, John, Darius, Nancy, Benjamin, James, 
Parrish, and Oliver. Robert C. (father of our sub- 
ject), the eldest in this family, was born in Fayette 
County, Ky., April 19, 1811. He came with his par- 
ents to this county in 1815, and in the course of time 
learned the cabinet-making trade, at which he worked 
for several years. He was married in this county, 
to Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah and Nancy Wor- 
sham, and settled on the farm now owned by Joseph 
Worsham, where his wife died in .1848. Mr. Dickey 
subsequently married Miss Lucretia Kinder, and 
moved to Madison County, Ind., where he now resides. 
His second wife died in 1863. His children were: 
John, Nancy and Jeremiah W. (by first wife), and 
Euphemia, Josephine and Joseph (by second wife), 
all of whom are living and married. J. W. Dickey, 
our subject, was married in this county, February 
16, 1871, to China A., daughter of Henry and 



Mary (Pyke) Hawk, and born in Rush County, Ind., 
January 30, 1853. They have the following-named 
children: Marshall, Mary E., Frank, Rollie, Flora, 
and William H. After marriage Mr. Dickey settled 
on a farm now owned by Jesse Murphey, but after 
remaining there one year he removed to the farm 
where he now lives. He is at present Trustee of Fair- 
view Township, which office he has held two terms. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

WILLIAM A. DUNCAN, farmer, Harrison Town- 
ship, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Franklin 
County, January 26, 1826. His parents, Joseph and 
Jane (MacNichols) Duncan, came to this State in 
1850. His father, a native [of Pennsylvania, died 
May 4, 1860; his mother died December 15, 1858. 
Our subject had a very limited education. He was 
married Juno 25, 1861, to Miss Mary Fallen, born in 
1831, daughter of John and Ann (Padden) Fallen, 
natives of Ireland, who reside in Liberty. To this 
union were born the following children: Joseph, 
Maggie, John, James (died January 24, 1882), Jane 
(died February 24, 1882). Mrs. Duncan was brought 
up a Catholic. 

B. F. DUNGAN, farmer, Waterloo Township, 
was born December 24, 1836, in the township in 
which he now resides, and the district schools afforded 
him the only means for an education. He was mar- 
ried May 28, 1865, to Elizabeth, daughter of Richard 
and Susanna Strong, who has borne him two children: 
Mary M. and William A. He owns eighty acres of 
land, which are finely improved. Mr. Dungan has 
served three terms as Trustee of the township, and 
Assessor six years. Politically he is a Democrat. 
Benjamin Dungan, grandfather of our subject, was a 
native of Virginia. He was married to Margaret 
Mitchell, and in 1814 removed with his family to 
Waterloo Township, where he entered 160 acres of 
land in Section 10. Although not a professor of 
religion, he adhered to the Presbyterian belief. He 
was the father of ten children, five of whom are living: 
James, John W., Joseph A. Isaac J. and Elizabeth. 
The deceased are: Elias, Rebecca, Hettie, Benjamin 
W. and Charles. After a residence here of many 
years, he and his wife removed to Delaware County, 
Ind., where they died. Isaac, brother of Benjamin, 
came to the township some years after, receiving from 
his brother ten acres of land as an inducement to 
settle here. William M., son of Benjamin and father 
of our subject, was born September 8, 1814. He was 
married March 2, 1836, in Fayette County, to Rachel, 
daughter of Enoch and Margaret Chambers, and 
born in Waterloo Township, August 11, 1815. He 
lived in the township till his death, which occurred 
February 11, 1838; he left one child— B. F. Enoch 
Chambers, father of Mra Rachel Dungan, was born 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



271 



in Maryland, June 28, 1778, a son of Rev. James 
and Nancy (Tracy) Chambers. He was reared in his 
native State, 'after which he removed to North Caro- 
lina, where he was married to Margaret Brown. Sub- 
sequently they settled in Kentucky, from which State 
they removed to Wayne County, Ind., and in 1812 
settled permanently in Waterloo Township, Section 
33, where he died. He held several of the township 
oflBces and was an efficient business man. He was 
not a member of any denomination, yet was religiously 
inclined, and gave freely toward the support of the 
church. He served a short time in the war of 1812- 
14. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church 
and a consistent Christian. Nine children were born 
to them, four of whom are now living: Martha, 
Rachel, Lydia and Rebecca. The deceased are Lin- 
nie, James, Jesse, Nancy, and William F. Mr. 
Chambers died June 8, 1850; his widow, who was 
born January 17, 1779, died May 3, 1856. 

AMOS R. EDWARDS (deceased), late of Conners- 
ville Township, was one of the leading citizens of 
this county, born in Greene County, Penn., in 1808, 
a son of William Edwards, a native of Indiana, where 
he was reared. Our subject's parents moved to this 
county in 1817 and resided here till their deaths. 
He grew to manhood here and was educated in the 
Fayette County district schools, his early life being 
spent in mercantile business in Fairfield, Franklin 
County, and Connersville, Fayette County. He sub- 
sequently purchased land in this locality and for sev- 
eral years engaged in farming. About 1845 he was 
elected to fill a vacancy in the office of County Clerk 
and subsequently served in that capacity for twelve 
consecutive years, after which he retired from active 
business. He was prominently identified with the 
JunctioQ Railroad construction and was ever in the 
lead in public enterprises of every sort. Mr. Ed- 
wards was married to Miss Jane Patterson, who was 
born and reared in Ohio, and by this union four chil- 
dren were born: Alexander, Elizabeth (deceased), 
Alfred (deceased), and Francis. Mr. Edwards died 
December 29, 1864; his widow is still living. 

ALEXANDER EDWARDS, farmer, Conn(»-8ville 
Township, was born in this county in 1835; son of 
Amos R. and Jane (Patterson) Edwards. Our sub- 
ject's early life was passed partly on the farm and 
partly in the town of Connersville, in the public 
schools of which place he was educated. Since his 
maturity he has been chiefly and quite extensively 
engaged in farming and stock-raising, in which he 
has been very successful. He now owns 246 acres 
of excellent land, well provided with tine buildings 
and all modern conveniences. Mr. Edwards was 
united in marriage, December 24, 1862, with Catha- 
rine Sparks, a native of this county and a daughter 



of William Sparks, one of the most notable of the 
pioneers. Mr. Edwards is an industrious, energetic 
farmer, and, though careful in his dealings, is a lib- 
eral supporter of all legitimate enterprises. 

JESSE P. ELLIOTT, Jennings Township. This 
enterprising and progressive farmer of Fayette 
County was born in Bracken County, Ky., August 
19, 1826. When seven years old (1833) his father, 
John Elliott, removed to and settled^ in Union 
County, Ind., near the mouth of Eli's Creek, where 
he lived five years, after which he settled in this 
township, and though he subseqiiently lived in other 
places, always remained in the county. John Elliott 
was born in Culpeper County, Va. , January 10, 1800, 
a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Figins) Elliott, na- 
tives of Virginia, who settled in Bracken County, Ky., 
in 1802. Elijah Elliott served on the northern front- 
ier in the war of 1812-1815. He was one of Maj. 
Croghan's gallant little band that so heroically de- 
fended Fort Stephenson after refusing the British 
demand for surrender. He was tomahawked and 
killed by the Indians on the River Raisin, Canada. 
Before going to the war he leased his slaves for a 
term of years; on account of his premature death 
the lessee violated the terms of the contract by con- 
tinuing to hold the slaves in bondage, after the expi- 
ration of the lease. Previous to the late war of the 
Rebellion John Elliott, son of Elijah, procured their 
freedom. John Elliott, the father of our subject, was 
married in Kentucky, to Rachel, daughter of Jesse 
and Lurany (Newland) Pigman, born July 2, 1805. 
In 1833 they with their children — three in number — 
settled in Indiana as above stated. Both were mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and consist- 
ent Christians whose labors of love ended only with 
their lives. Mr. Elliott was something of a genius, 
possessing that rare mechanical ingenuity which en- 
abled him to produce whatever his fertile mind 
devised. With the aid of a whip saw he helped to 
get out the lumber used in the construction of the 
first court house built in Rush County, Ind. This 
pioneer couple left their Kentucky home on account 
of slavery and poverty. When they arrived here 
they had only a team and a few household utensils. 
Mr. Elliott was a man of good judgment, a hard 
worker, generous to a fault, giving to the support of 
every worthy public enterprise. He was a war Dem- 
ocrat, and during the late war of the Rebellion gave 
from his large means with unstinted hand, to aid 
the Government in the struggle. He was unassum- 
ing and reticent in manner. He was parent of 
eleven children, the three eldest of whom — Jesse P., 
Charles W., and Elijah — were born in Kentucky; the 
others — Elizabeth (deceased), James M., John (de- 
ceased), Lurany (deceased), Sarah (deceased), an 



272 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



infant (died iinuamed), Mary Jane (deceased), and 
Adam (deceased) — were born in Indiana. The moth- 
er of these children died February 27, 1870. Mr. 
Elliott married, for his second wife, Margaret 
Shields. He died September 13, 1873. Our subject 
up to his eighteenth year lived upon the farm, 
attending the district schools, where he obtained a 
good practical education. He was married, March 
9, 1847, to Nancy, daughter of Robert Hulgan, and 
who was born in 1819. To this union were born 
four children, three of whom are now living: John, 
Rachel Ann, and Nancy J. Mary is deceased. Mrs. 
Elliott died in 1853. He then married, January 7, 
1855, Margaret Darby, who bore him seven children: 
Mary E., Jesse (deceased), Catherine (deceased), Fan- 
nie B., Emma, Frances A. (deceased) and Charles. 
Daniel O. Darby, the father of Mrs. Elliott, was born 
in Butler County, Ohio, in 1806, a son of William 
and Mary (Fritz) Darby, the former of Welsh, the 
latter of German extraction. Williau] O. settled in 
Columbia Township in 1825, subsequently moved 
near Indianapolis, where he died. Daniel O. Darby 
settled in the above mentioned township in 1828. 
He was a mechanic and noted for being a general 
purpose man. He was Justice of the Peace and 
Constable several terms each, and Postmaster for sev- 
eral years. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fourth Ind. 
V. C, and participated in the famous Morgan raid. 
His wife, Hannah Hopkins [nee Lovelace), bore him 
nine children: Margarett, William O., Nancy, John 
D., Sarah J., Luciiida, Elizabeth, Lucinda (second), 
Elizabeth (second). Mr. Darby died in 1875. His 
wife, who was born in Monmouth County, N. J., 
in 1799, died in 1865. Her father and mother, 
Joseph and Mary Lovelace, were of English and 
Scotch extraction. By her first husband, Mr. Hop- 
kins, she had three children: Mary, Emily and Joseph. 
For seventeen years the subject of this sketch operated 
a saw-mill in Fayette County. At the beginning of 
the late war he bought (in partnership with James 
Hulgan) 128 acres of land where he now resides. He 
has been eminently successful and now owns 454 
acres of well-improved land. His home farm of 203 
acres is one of the best improved places in the 
county. His commodious house, erected in 1882, at 
a cost of 15,000, is without an equal in the town- 
ship for convenience, etc. It was erected to replace 
one built in 1876, at a cost of 14,000, destroyed 
by lire in 1882. Mr. Elliott has been elected to the 
ofiSces of Trustee and Justice of the Peace, discharg- 
ing the duties of each in a creditable manner. His 
commission for the latter office was issued by Gov. 
O. P. Morton. Mr. Elliott possesses good business 
ability; is a shrewd, far-seeing man, seldom making 
an error in business speculations. While living in 



Columbia Township he assessed the personal property 
and in 1867 or 1868 assessed most of the real estate 
of the county. He is an acceptable and worthy 
member of Warren Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M., at 
Connersville, and of Evertou Lodge, I. O. O. F. He 
18 an uncompromising Rej)ublican and always votes 
the straight ticket. 

CHARLES W. ELLIOTT, farmer, Jackson Town- 
ship, is a native of Kentucky, born near Brookville, 
Bracken County, April 15, 1828. He was favored 
with a graded school education, and farmed with his 
father until 1847. Being naturally inclined to form 
and de.sign that which would be useful in life, he 
learned the blacksmith trade, and after becoming an 
expert at it, went to California in 1849. Shortly 
after his arrival there he was seized with the Panama 
fever, and returned home in 1850; taught school in 
1851, and cradled wheat and farmed during the har- 
vest, after which he engaged in all kinds of work, 
being an expert in mechanics. Mr. Elliott was mar- 
ried, December 18, 1855, to Amanda A. Smallwood, 
who was born in Loudoun County, Va., February 24, 
1822. After his wife's death he married, January 
19, 1864, Eliza A. Nash, daughter of Richard Nash, 
and who was born October 13, 1841; to them were 
born five children: Lurena M., born March 21, 1865, 
died May 12, 1869; Dasie V., born July 21, 1870, 
died August 24, 1875; Richard, Charles W., Jr., and 
Cecil. In religion, as in all laudable pursuits, Mr. 
Elliott is liberal, contributing to the Lutheran and 
Methodist Churches. His wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

LEWIS ELLIS, farmer, Harrison Township, was 
born in Cayuga County, N. Y., April 11, 1811, son 
of Moses and Betsey (Judd) Ellis, natives of Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut, respectively, and who emi- 
grated to western New York about 1803 or 1804, and 
from there, in 1818, moved to the vicinity of North 
Bend, on the Ohio. For eight years they resided on 
the farm of Gen. Harrison, whence, in 1826, they 
came to this county, settling on land where our sub- 
ject now resides. They were parents of six children. 
Both were members of the Christian Church, in which 
Mr. Ellis was a zealous and untiring worker. He was 
exempt from military service on account of near- 
sightedness. He was the first Postmaster of the office 
known as Plum Orchard, established in 1827; was a 
good citizen, and succeeded well in life. Politically, 
he was a Whig, with strong anti-slavery views. He 
died in 1848, his wife having preceded him in 1841. 
Our subject's grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier. 
Lewis Ellis was married, December 30, 1832, to Miss 
Samantha P. Thomas, a daughter of Elder Minor 
Thomas, and to them the following-named children 
have been born: Caroline, born November 11, 1883; 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



273 



Lacy, bora June 18, 1835; Oliver H. , born October 

2, 1836, died August 24, 1837; Elvin, born March 
17, 1838, died July 29, 1839; Jasper D., born No- 
vember 15, 1839, died October 2r^, 1860; Emma, 
born January 29, 1840, died April 7, 1841; Minor, 
born January 25, 1841, died iu the city of New Or- 
leans, September 21, 1863, while in defease of his 
country, as a member of Company C, of the Sixty- 
ninth Regiment, Ind. V. I.; Melvia, bora November 
10, 1843; Nancy, bora April 25, 1845, died Febru- 
ary 22, 1870; Adaliae aad Angeline (twins) born 
August 12, 1846, (Adaline died October 1, 1861; An- 
geline died December 16, 1848); Mary, born Novem- 
ber 6, 1848, died November 20, 1848; Eliza, born 
April 10, 1850 (Mrs. John Payne); Ellen and Edwin 
W. (twins), born October 16, 1852; and Hewit T., 
born August 22, 1854. Both parents are members 
of the Old School Baptist Church, with which they 
have been connected for mauy years. Mr. Ellis is 
one of the substantial men of the county, the inter- 
ests of which he has ever labored to advance. He 
resides on a fine farm of 176 acres of well-improved 
and highly cultivated laud. Politically, he is iden- 
tified with the Republican party. 

ALBERT FERGUSON, farmer, Posey Towaship, 
was bora ia Fayette County, lad., January 28, 1857; 
sou of Liviagstoa and Elizabeth (Grilland) Ferguson. 
He was married iu Wayne Couuty, lad., October 20, 
1881, to Adda, daughter of Charles aad Sasau Wil- 
son, who was bora ia Wayne Couaty, lad., September 

3, 1861, aad to this uaioa oae child — Lula — has been 
born. After our subject's marriage he settled on the 
same farm where he at present resides. He owns 
292 acres of fine land, well improved and under a 
high state of cultivation. 

DANIEL FIANT, Sr., (deceased) was born in 
Berks County, Penn., and is a son of one of the Hessian 
soldiers brought from Germany to America to fight 
against the colonists during the war of the Revolu- 
tion. Being iu sympathy with the colonists he with- 
drew from the British standard and cast his lot with 
the struggling freemen. The subject of this sketch 
learned the carpenter's trade in early life. He was 
married to Saloma Gaby, in Pennsylvania. In 1802 
they, with their family, removed overland to Indiana, 
and effected a settlement in Union County, near the 
border of Fayette, purchasing a mill property and 
farm; but the mill did not prove a profitable enter- 
prise. He then took up his trade, going to Ohio, 
with his eldest son, Samuel, to seek employment. In 
1834 he settled on the farm where Jonas Fiant now 
resides, having previously leased 160 acres of school 
land for a term of ninety-nine years, on which he 
lived till his death. He and his estimable wife were 
membei's of the German Baptist Church, to which 



they belonged for many years, and were consistent 
Christian people. Twelve children were born to them, 
five of whom are living: Catherine, Jonas, Lydia, 
John, David. The deceased are: Samuel, Martin, 
Peter, Elizabeth, Mary, Susana and Hannah. Mr. 
Fiant died December 22, 1866, aged eighty-six years, 
nine months and twelve days. Mrs. Fiant departed 
this life February 7, 1867, aged eighty-five years, 
eight months, and th irteen days. 

JONAS FIANT, farmer, Waterloo Township, 
was born in Berks County, Penn., in 1814, and is the 
seventh child of Daniel Fiant, an old settler. His 
boyhood was passed on the farm and in obtaining, in 
the subscription schools, a very meagre education. 
He was united in marriage, July 26, 1838, with 
Mary, daughter of George and Frances Munger. To 
this uaioa the followiag childrea were born; the four 
nowliviagare: Solomoa, Peter, Hester Aau aad Amos; 
the deceased are: Samuel, Jonas, Adam, Jonathan 
and an infant. After marriage Mr. i^'iant located 
permanently on the farm where he now resides, and 
which comprises eighty acres of excellent land, well 
improved. Mr. and Mrs. Fiant are members of the 
German Baptist Church, with which they have been 
connected since 1842, and all their children, except 
Solomon, are consistent members of the same. 

JOHN FIANT, farmer, Waterloo Township, is the 
tenth child of Daniel Fiant. He was born in Union 
County, Ind., November 6, 1818. His early life was 
passed amid the hardships incident to pioneer days 
on the farm. In 1843 he was married to Hannah, 
daughter of Samuel Fiddler, when he settled perma- 
aeatly on his present farm. Seven children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fiant, six of whom are 
living: Daniel, Mary, Emma, Eda, Rose and Nettie; 
Oliver died April 13, 1854, aged nine months and six 
days. Mr. Fiant owns 117 acres of land, which is 
highly improved. He and his wife are members of 
the German Baptist Church, in which he is one of the 
Deacons. 

LEWIS C. FLOREA (deceased), late of Harrison 
Township, was born in Woodford County, Ky., 
December 17, 1808, son of John and Margaret (Col- 
lins) Florea. In the early settlement of this section of 
the country, John Floroa and family located in what is 
now Fayette County, and hero he died shortly after- 
ward, and the family returned to Kentucky. When 
Lewis C. became a grown man he returned to his 
father's possessions in this county, where he resided 
the remainder of his life, occupied as a farmer. He 
died January 31, 1871, closing a successful career 
and one of usefulness to his fellow- man. On Novem- 
ber 5, 1835, Mr. Florea was married to Mary Eliza 
Dale, who still survives, and to them were born eight 
children, seven of whom grew to manhood and 



274 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



womanhood, viz.: Albert W., Joseph D., John C, 
Emily F., William T., Lewis W., George C. and 
Charles C. (the last named died in 1862). The widow 
of Mr. Florea was born in this county, May 4, 1815, 
daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bradbura) Dale, the 
former a native of Woodford County, Ky., where he 
grew to manhood. He settled in Franklin County, 
Ind. , in 1814, where their marriage took place, and 
in 1815 removed to what is now Harrison Township, 
this county. Joseph Dale and his wife and Lewis 
C. Florea and his wife were members of the Old School 
Baptist Church, and were all zealous Christian people. 

JOHN C. FLOREA, farmer, Harrison Township, 
was born in Harrison Township, this County, No- 
vember 19, 1839, son of Lewis C. and Eliza (Dale) 
Florea, old pioneers of this county. Our subject 
received a common school education, and has farmed 
nearly all his life. He was married, October 9, 1867, 
to Miss Margaret Allen, a native of Putnam County. 
To this union have been bora the following children: 
Maud E. (who died January 11, 1877), Lee A., John 
R. and Mary A. During the late war of the Rebell- 
ion Mr. Florea enlisted at Connersville, July 25, 
1861, in Company F, Ind. C. , serving throe years 
and two months. He participated in the battles 
of Antietam, Wilderness, Fredericksburg, Chancel- 
lorsville, Beverly Ford, Brandy Station, Stuart's 
Road, before Richmond, Barber's Cross Roads, and 
in many other engagements. He was sick and off 
duty three weeks, but did not return home during his 
entire service. He was very fortunate, never having 
been wounded or taken prisoner. 

WILLIAM T. FLOREA, farmer and stock-dealer, 
Harrison Township, is one of the most active 
and thorough farmers of that township. He was born 
within half a mile of where he now resides, Novem- 
ber 1, 1843, and was favored with a good education. 
His parents, Lewis C. and Eliza (Dale) Florea, were 
natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively, and 
for a livelihood followed farming. The subject of 
this sketch was uuited in matrimony September 14, 
1870, with Miss Susan- K. Stone, daughter of Hon. 
Charles M. and Louisa Stone. By this union were 
born three children: Park S., Fannie E., and Grace 
B. Mr. Florea was Township Trustee for six years. 
In October, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, Ind. V. 
I., serving until September, 1865, and participating 
in many hard-fought battles, such as Resaca, Big 
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nashville, Franklin and 
Wises Fork, the last battle of the war. Mr. Florea 
was always ready for duty, and escaped without 
a scratch, or being taken prisoner. With all his 
broad acres and worldly possessions, he is a lib- 
eral-minded man, and makes his home happy. 



L. T. P'LOREA, farmer, Posey Township, was 
born on the old Henry Clay farm, near Lexing- 
ton, Fayette County, Ky., November 17, 1838, son of 
Albert and Hester (Collins) Florea, also natives of 
Kentucky. They were married in Jessamine County, 
that State, and afterward settled on Henry Clay's 
farm, in Fayette County, taking charge of his plan- 
tation of negroes for seven years, after which he moved 
to Jessamine County and took charge of a farm be- 
longing to his wife's grandfather, a Mr. Cleveland, 
remaining three years, and from thence moved to 
Shelby County, Ky., where he purchased a farm and 
remained until his death. His widow in 1852 moved 
with her family to this county, and here remained 
until she died. Their children were: Emily, Lewis 
T., George W., Elizabeth, Nancy and Albert W. 
Our subject came with his mother to this county in 
1852, and has since resided here. He owns 120 acres 
of very fine land, well improved, and under a high 
state of cultivation. He is a single man and a highly 
respected citizen. 

THOMAS E. FRAIZER, farmer, Posey Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., July 4, 1842. 
His parents, John and Rachel (Beard) Fraizer, were 
natives of North Carolina, and of Scotcb-Irish descent. 
The former was born June 3, 1796, and the latter 
October 24, 1799. They were married in Wayne 
County, Ind., and afterward settled near Milton, 
where they remained until 1821, at which time they 
moved to this county, settling on the farm where our 
subject now lives, which they improved from its wild 
state and upon which they remained until their death. 
Mr. Fraizer died May 3, 1856, and his widow June 
23, 1871. They were both zealous and devoted mem- ' 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Chiirch, and were 
much respected. They were the parents of ten chil- 
dren: Malinda, Sarah, Jane, Louisa, Elizabeth, John 
B., Elias, Jesse, Samuel, and Thomas E. Our subject, 
the youngest member of the family, was married in 
Wayne County, Ind., January 22, 1868, to Julia R., 
daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Kuyler) 
Shults. She was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, 
September 23, 1848, and was one of four children: 
Sarah E. , George W^, Julia R. and Emma K. Her 
father (born February 11, 1811,) and mother (born 
June 25, 1810,) were married in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, and about 1863 moved to Wayne County, Ind., 
where the former died June 30, 1881. His widow 
now lives at Cambridge City. After our subject's 
marriage he settled on the farm where he has since 
resided. He has a family of four children: Flor- 
ence, Thomas E., Elizabeth R. and Homer S. Mr. 
Fraizer is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

WILLIAM FREEMAN, retired farmer, Posey 
Township, was born in the State of New York, July 



PAYETTE COUNTY. 



275 



10, 1804, son of Aeahel and Charity (Hunt) Freeman, 
natives of New Jersey. In 1819 they moved from 
New York to Cincinnati, Ohio, settling in Clermont 
County for a short time; thence went to Harrison 
Township, where, two years after, Asahel Freeman 
died. Seven children were born to him by his first 
wife, two now living: William and Sarah. The 
deceased are: Morris, Joseph, James, Jackson and 
Tunis V. By his second wife, Clarissa Prine, a 
widow, he had five children: Charity, Rachel, Har- 
riet, Miner T. and Nancy, all dead but the eldest, who 
is the wife of Wells Stephens, Orange Township. 
For her second husband Mrs. Freeman married John 
Thomas. At the age of seventeen years our subject 
bound himself to John Murphy, a resident of Harri- 
son Township, whom he was to serve till of age for 
eighty acres of land. On his twenty-first birthday 
he received a deed for the land, and was additionally 
rewarded with a freedom suit of clothes and a yoke of 
Jersey oxen. In October, 1826, Mr. Freeman was 
married to Nancy Shields; two years after he removed 
to Posey Township, and in 1837 located where he now 
resides. He has held the offices of Constable and 
Justice of the Peace, the latter twelve years. . He has 
also been executor of many estates. Nine children 
were born to him, three now living: Angelina, Eliza 
and Jane. The deceased are Caroline, SHrah, Har- 
riet, Isabelle, Emaline and Wilson. Mrs. Freeman 
died January 10, 1879, aged seventy-four years. Mr. 
Freeman owns a farm of 120 acres, and is well situ- 
ated in life. He cast his first vote in 1825, and voted 
for "Old Hickory" — Gen. Jackson — for President in 
1828. The Squire is a man remarkably well pre- 
served for his age, considering the amount of hard 
work he has done. He has many friends, and his life 
has been spent in a manner highly pleasing to his 
associates, and reflects honor on those with whom he 
is connected. 

ELI FROST, farmer, Harrison Township, was 
born in Putnam County, N. Y., November 9, 1831; 
son of James H. and Sophia (Kelley) Frost, the for- 
mer of whom died in 1830. In 1839 his widow 
moved to this county. Our subject received a com- 
mon school education, and at the age of eighteen 
learned wagon-making, and after following this busi- 
ness for nineteen years he engaged in farming, which 
has since been his occupation, excepting in the years 
1856, 1857, 1881, 1882 and 1883, when he traveled 
with Van Amburgh's circus and menagerie through 
sixteen States, having charge of repairs and receiving 
of tickets at the door. Mr. Frost was married, 
February 22, 1859, to Miss Melasena Kerschner, a 
native of Ohio, born at Germantown, August 27, 
1832. By this union six children were born: Hyatt 
L., Rozetta A., Laura T., Emerick K., Homer, Delia 



W. Mr. Frost is a Master Mason, also a member of 
the I. O. O. F. 

JACOB GEISE, farmer, Jennings Township, 
was born in Lebanon County, Penn., December 7, 
1819; son of George and Susan (Gassard) Geise, also 
natives of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch 
passed his early life on the farm. In 1838, when a 
single man, he came to this county, since when he 
has visited his native State twice, returning here the 
last time in 1857, when he bought a small tract of 
land (twenty-seven acres) to which he has added by 
subsequent purchase till he now owns 173 acres. 
Mr. Geise was married in Pennsylvania in 1846, to 
Mary Noll, who has borne him twelve children, ten 
of whom are now living: Henry, Jacob, David, John, 
Frank, William C, Oliver P., Malinda, Lizzie and 
Matilda. Daniel and Emaline are deceased. Polit- 
ically Mr. Geise votes the Democratic ticket upon all 
questions at issue. He and his wife are worthy 
members of the Lutheran Church and are interested 
in religious work. 

SOLOMON W. GIFFORD, retired farmer, Posey 
Township, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 
1806. He is a son of Ananias and Phcsbe (Wardle) 
Giffijrd, natives of New Jersey. In 1815 they re- 
moved from New York to Ohio, locating at Newtown, 
on the Little Miami River. In 1817 they came to 
Harrisburg, this county, and at the land sale of 1821 
he purchased land near Fairview, on which he lived 
many years and prospered. He died in Rush County, 
Ind., in 1853, aged eighty years, His wife suddenly 
died from an apoplectic stroke in 1841. Nine chil- 
dren were born to them, two living: M. L. and S. W. 
The following- named are deceased: Freelove, John, 
James, Sarah, Mary, Rev. Noah, a Baptist min- 
ister, and Clark. Our subject has a keen recollection 
of pioneer days and it may truthfully be said that he 
underwent a full share of the hardships incident to 
the settlement of Indiana. In 1826 he was married 
to Malinda, daughter of Mark Manlove, and born in 
Ohio in 1811. He lived for a number of years on 
land east of Falmouth, then settled on the south- 
west section of Posey Township, where he resided till 
the infirmities of age compelled him to retire from 
business pursuits. For more than forty years he has 
been an upright and consistent member of the Reg- 
ular Baptist Church. His estimable wife is a devoted 
and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which she has efficiently labored from 
childhood. Thirteen children have been born to this 
pioneer couple, eleven of whom are living: Sophronia, 
William M., Alfred, Mahala J., Absalom, James, 
Phoebe A., Laura, Vashti, Freelove, George H. The 
deceased are: Amanda and an infant. During the 
fifty-eight years of this couple's married life not a 



276 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



single domestic storm has ever agitated the tranquil- 
ity of a life made supremely happy by the union of 
" two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that 
beat as one." To them providence has been espec- 
ially kind, of which they are not unmindful, and with 
gratitude profound bless the " Giver of every good 
and perfect gift." 

EBENEZER GLENN, merchant and Postmaster, 
Bentley P. O., Jackson Township, was born in 
Blooming Grove Township, Franklin Co., Ind., Jan- 
uary 2, 1831. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Smith) 
Glenn, were natives of South Carolina, and moved 
to Indiana in 1814. The former was born February 
10, 1800, died March 23, 1883; the latter was born 
March 20, 1794, died September 7, 1865. The sub- 
ject of this sketch received a good education. He 
farmed and taught school up to September, 1883, at 
which time he moved on Section 35, and engaged in 
his present business. He was married, September 
14, 1858, to Martha A. Dance, who was born in Han- 
cock County, Ind., August 3, 1839, and by this union 
John T. was born October 21, 1859, and died Decem- 
ber, 1860. Mrs. Glenn died December 9, 1863. Mr. 
Glenn was commissioned Postmaster June 27, 1882; 
he also keeps a stock of staple dry goods, groceries, 
hardware, boots and shoes, notions, etc. He belongs 
to Ireland Grange, No. 1749; is a member of the 
Universalist Church; a member of Fayette Property 
Protection Company. 

WILLIAM GREEN, farmer, Waterloo Township, 
was born in Baltimore County, Md., August 14, 1821, 
son of Joshua and Susanna (Foster) Green, natives 
of Maryland, who emigi-ated to Indiana in 1836 and 
settled in Washington Township, Wayne County, 
Ind. , where Mr. Green died the following year, after 
which his widow removed to Illinois. They bad 
three children: George, William and Barbara Ann. 
Our subject received most of his education iu the 
schools of Indiana. He worked fourteen years at 
farm labor by the month. In 1849 he was married 
to Martha Cross, by whom he has had six children, 
five now living: Susanna E., Levi, George, William 
and Anna. Samantha is deceased. In 1856 Mr. Green 
rented the farm where he now lives and which he 
owns. He rented land till 1875, when he bought 160 
acres, and in 1882 he purchased 160 iicres more, pay- 
ing for the two farms $20,000. Mr. Green votes for 
the Democl-atic Presidential nominees, but in local 
elections supports the best man, regardless of party 
lines. 

SAMUEL GREEN, farmer and stock-raiser, Jack- 
son Township, is a native of this township and 
county, born October 31, 1830; son of Daniel and 
Peggy (Lair) Green, former a native of South Caro- 
lina, born October 17, 1783, latter a native of Ken- 



tucky, born July 13, 1795. Daniel Green was twice 
married; on first occasion in Kentucky, March 14, 
1805, to Nancy Vardeman, a native of South Caro- 
lina, born October 18, 1789. They had a family of 
six children: Eliza, Lot, John, Milton, Betsey Ann 
and Washington. All have passed "beyond the river" 
except Lot and John. The mother died October 13, 
1825, and the father married, Sef)tember 19, 1826, 
Mrs. Peggy Lair, by whom he had six children: 
Osa, born July 27, 1827, died August 18, 1872; Sam- 
antha, Samuel, Martha J., William and Orpha. Mr. 
Green died March 12, 1855, and his widow April 15, 
1874. He came to this county March 12, 1812, 
and camped on the same ground where he died. 
Our subject received a common school education. 
He was married November 18, 1862, to Miss Mary J. 
Childers, who was born in this county July 8, 1834. 
By this union four children were born: Daniel R., 
Mary A., William S. and Lewis E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Green are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. 
Green has a farm of 154 acres, located on Sections 
23 and 26. He is a member of the L O. O. F. 
Everton, No. 139, and Nulltown Grange, No. 1883. 

SAMUEL GREST, farmer, Jackson Township, 
is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born in Jackson 
Township, July 12, 1814. His parents, Samuel and 
Sarah (Smith) Grest, were born in South Carolina, 
and came to Indiana in 1813, enduring the hardships 
and privations incident to pioneer life, that their 
progeny might possess more of this world's goods 
than they themselves ever enjoyed. The subject of 
this sketch received a common school education, and 
worked at the carpenter's trade for twelve years, 
with which exception his life has been devoted to 
farming. August 13, 1840, he married Miss Matilda 
Rigsby, who was born in North Carolina January 10, 
1814, and died January 2, 1850. Mr. Grest was 
married, on second occasion, January 9, 1851, to 
Miss Matilda Pritchard, a native of Union County, 
Ind., born January 9, 1827. To this union were 
born four children: Sarah, Clemuel, Nancy M. and 
Riley. Mr. Grest was Road Supervisor for two years. 
He owns 239 acres of land on Sections 34 and 35. He 
is a member of Ireland Grange, No. 1749. 

HAWKINS HACKLEMAN, farmer, Harrison 
Township. It was some time during the period of 
colonial development that the name of Hackleman 
first became known on the western continent. Three 
brothers, casting their fortunes with many others, 
sailed from Germany, and upon reaching North Amer- 
ica settled within what are now the present limits of 
Mississippi. After a time one of the brothers, by the 
name of Jacob, with his wife, Mary, moved to South 
Carolina. There they lived, and their family of lit- 
tle prattling children grew to be strong men and 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



277 



women. Space forbids us to speak of but one son, 
Isaac Hackleman (born March 26, 1780, died Decem- 
ber 10, 1844), who was married July 2, 1801, to 
Elizabeth Hawkins (bom May 22, 1783, died July 30, 
1835). Immediately after their marriage they moved 
to Dearborn County, Ind.. settling on a farm two and 
a half miles from Harrison, and while living there 
Hawkins Hackleman was born January 6, 1810. In 
1815 his parents moved to Fayette County and located 
on a farm near Harrisburg. His earliest recollec- 
tions of the county are far different from the observa- 
tions taken to-day. Instead of the broad, cultivated 
fields of ripening grain, and the rich meadow lands 
where the low of the browsing cattle is heard, he 
then saw the giant trees of the forest mingling their 
branches together; while here and there a small clear- 
ing and a log-house showed that the pioneers had 
begun in earnest to carve out a home for themselves 
and their children. He remembers when Conners- 
ville contained only a block-house and three or four 
log-cabins. His first school teacher was Miss Millie 
Perrin. The schoolhouse was made of the most fash- 
ionable building material of the day, namely, logs. 
On one side part of one log had been removed, and 
over the opening was pasted an oiled paper, thus 
forming a window. A spacious tire-place, almost the 
width of one side of the house, not only gave out 
heat, but also assisted the one window in lighting up 
the rude mansion of learning. A puncheon floor and 
benches without backs, together with the master's 
ferule, completed the furniture of the apartment. 
And yet, despite these disadvantages, he obtained a 
fair education. As was customary in those days, he 
attended the "Musters," which convened three times 
a year; he belonged to Capt William Dickey's divis- 
ion, known as the " Flat-foot Company." From the 
time he was about seventeen years of age he generally 
made four or five trips to Cincinnati during the fall 
and winter months, driving hogs at 25 cents 
per day. During the summer of 1828 he worked for 
twQ months with Nelson Penwell making shoes at 16 
per month. He was married to Sally A. Wolfe by 
Rev. Adam Banks, Pastor of the Christian Church, 
Thursday afternoon, December 29, 1831. His wife 
was a daughter of David Wolfe. She was born in 
Scott County, Ky. , near Georgetown, November 29, 
1814, and moved with her parents to Fayette County, 
Ind., in 1824. Their marriage was in harmony with 
the customs of early times. Huge dinner-pots hung 
from the cranes in the chimney, and frying-pans and 
skillets did good service on the glowing coals. 
Young Hawkins, unassisted, had made his wedding 
shoes, while his girl bride, with her own hands, had 
constructed the white dress that served as a wedding 
robe. The next day the young married couple, in 



company with friends, mounted their horses and rode 
to the " Inf air. " In 1832 they moved to Rush 
County, and for two years he was engaged in mer- 
cantile business. In 1834 they came back to Fayette 
County, and since 1837 have lived at their present 
home. Nine children have been born unto them: 
Fannie, the eldest, was born in Rush County; James, 
Jacob, William (died in infancy), Thomas, Charles, 
George, Emily (died in 1870) and Adelia (deceased) 
were born in Fayette County. He has thus lived in 
the county, with the exception of two years, since 
1815; has watched its development with interest and 
pride. His quiet influence has been exerted in behalf 
of those improvements that would help to make his 
fellow-men better citizens, and promote the advance- 
ment of civilization and education. He is a man 
well preserved in mind and body; and now at the age 
of seventy-four years he can calmly review the past, 
and find no deeds in his life so dark that he would 
wish to bury them forever from sight No regi-ets of 
misspent years of degradation and moral depravity 
prove an annoyance to him. He has led a life tem- 
perate in all things. "As harvest time is brighter 
than seed time, so is old age brighter than youth, 
provided its youth was the receptacle of good seed." 

JAMES S. HAMILTON (deceased), late of Wa- 
terloo Township, was born in Maryland, in which 
State his father died. In 1832 his mother, Mrs. Jane 
(Scott) Hamilton, moved to Indiana, selecting a 
location in Waterloo Township, Section 3. James S. 
had previously married in Virginia, Eliza Courtney, 
by whom he had eleven children: Henson R. (de- 
ceased), Robert W., Margaret J. (deceased), Thomas 
F., Mary A., William J. (deceased), and T. F. The 
following four were born in Indiana: Eliza R. (de- 
ceased), Charles H., John W. and Francis A. Mr. 
Hamilton held several of the township offices, and 
was a man of much ability. He and his wife were 
Methodists. He was a successful farmer, accumula- 
ting considerable property. He served as a soldier in 
the war of 1812, stationed at Norfolk, Va. He died 
in 1878, his wife having preceded him in 1872, aged 
about sixty-nine years. Charles H. Hamilton was 
born in this township in 1834. He was married in 
1859 to Rachel Strong, daughter of Richard and Su- 
sanna Strong, who came here from Virginia in 1813 
or 1814. Richard Strong was born June 15, 1790, 
and died February 15, 1848; his widow, Susanna 
(Gaby) Strong, was born June 9, 1802, died Novem 
ber 9, 1883. They had thirteen children: Lydia, 
Delia, Wilson J., Mary, Jane, Rachel, Susan, Eliza- 
beth, John, Henry, Nancy, Henrietta and Millie. 
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles 
H. Hamilton, seven of whom are living: James M, 
Laura H., Charles H., Jr., "William J., Mary S., Re- 



278 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



becca J. and Kate. The deceased are Anna B. , Oli- 
ver L. and Robert W. Since marriage, Charles H. 
Hamilton has resided in this township, where he owns 
100 acres of land. 

KEY. JOHN HAMILTON, Posey Township, is a 
native of Fayette County, Penn., only child of 
George and Elizabeth (Miller) Hamilton, former of 
whom was born in Maryland in 1794, where he grew 
to manhood. George Hamilton moved to Pennsylva- 
nia, where he married Elizabeth Miller, and in 1838 
came to Indiana, locating in Jackson Township, this 
coanty, where he lived the balance of his days, and 
died in 1861. His wife departed this life in 1854. 
He was a self-made man. He served an apprentice- 
ship to the printer's trade in New York City, in the 
office of the Tribune, then conducted by Horace 
Greeley. Our subject received a practical education, 
such as the district schools afforded, and on growing 
to manhood was united in marriage, in 1850, with 
Miss Sarah, daughter of Wilson T. Adams, and to this 
union were born ten children, the following of whom 
are living: Nelson, William, David, John, Alanson, 
Samuel, Mary and James. The deceased are: George 
and Elizabeth. Mr. Hamilton began the study of 
theology under the instruction of Rev. Samuel Mc- 
Key, a Baptist clergyman, and subsequently attended 
and completed his studies at the seminary located in 
Hartsville, Ind. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, 
Sixty-ninth Regiment Ind. V. I., and saw two years of 
active service, participating in the battles of Rich- 
mond, Ky. , Vioksburg and Jackson, Miss., in which 
latter engagement he received a slight wound. He 
was honorably discharged in 1864, and then took up 
the work of the ministry in the Baptist Church, his 
field of labor being in the counties of Rush, Shelby, 
Decatur, Bartholomew and Brown. He retired from 
the regular work in 1883. Since 1881 he has resided 
on a farm in Fayette County. 

NATHANIEL HAMILTON, farmer, Connersville 
Township. This venerable gentleman and pioneer of 
the Whitewater Valley is a native of Pennsylvania, 
born on the 25th of May, 1798. His parents, Na- 
thaniel and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Hamilton, were na- 
tives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively. To 
them were born twelve children: Nathaniel, John, 
Polly, George, Mary Ann, Margaret, Adam, Isabelle, 
James, Elizabeth, Jane and Robert. In 1810 Na- 
thaniel Hamilton, Sr., with his family, immigrated to 
the then Territory of Indiana, locating in what is now 
Franklin County, just above Brookville, where they 
remained during the war of 1812-14, in which war 
two of the sons, John and Adam, served. In 1815, 
on the close of the war, the family moved to what is 
now Fayette County, Ind., settling in Connersville 
Township, just northwest of the village. Here Mr. 



Hamilton died in 1823. His widow died about 1826, 
in the State of Illinois. Both were members of the 
Presbyterian Church, in which he was an Elder. 
Nathaniel Hamilton, Jr., resided with his parents 
until his marriage, in 1821, with Lueinda, daughter 
of James and Margaret Tyner, of this county. To 
this union were born: Eliza A., John, Nathaniel, Lu- 
einda,' James, Margaret Mary, Washington M. and 
Elvira, of whom the five last named are deceased. 
In 1824 he began purchasing from the other heirs 
their shares of the estate, and soon had 100 acres, 
upon which he still resides. Mr. Hamilton was mar- 
ried four times, and has outlived all his chosen com- 
panions. No children were born to him after his first 
marriage. In his religious views our subject adheres 
to the doctrines of the Old School Baptist Church, of 
which church he has been a regular attendant all of 
his life. Old "Natty" Hamilton, as he is familiarly 
called, is agreeably known to all of the Whitewater 
country, by whom he is highly esteemed as a citizen 
and beloved as a neighbor. He is amiable in his 
manners, and is remarkably well preserved for one of 
his age, in both mind and body. 

ALVA S. HARDY, farmer, Columbia Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., August 7, 1859; 
son of Charles C. and Elizabeth C. (Heizer) Hardy, 
natives of Indiana, the former born near Brookville, 
Franklin County, October 20, 1820, and came with 
his parents to this county when about two years of 
age; the latter born in this county, February 12, 1822; 
they were married October 22, 1846. After this event 
they settled in Columbia Township, where Mr. Hardy 
purchased and improved a farm on which he resided 
until his death, which occurred March 9, 1883. His 
widow is living with her son, our subject. Their 
family consisted of William T. (deceased), Mary F. 
and Alva S. Our subject was married in this county, 
September 12, 1883, to Florence J., daughter of 
Francis M. and Dorcas A. (Atherton) Bilby, of Fair- 
view Township, and who was born in this county 
September 19, 1858. This union has been blessed 
with one child — Edith M. After marriage Mr. Hardy 
settled on his father's old homestead, where he has 
since resided. 

JAMES M. HARLAN, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, Was born in Fayette County, Ind., in 1849; son 
of Enoch and Mary A. (Honeywell) Harlan, the fath- 
er also a native of this county, the mother of New 
England. They resided here most of their lives, the 
former dying in 1851, the latter in 1853. Mr. Har- 
lan was brought up bj' his guardian and relatives in 
this county, and in 1870 came into possession of 136 
acres of land, which he has since been engaged in 
cultivating and improving. He has devoted his en- 
tire attention to farming and has been very success- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



279 



ful. In 1870 he married Miss Agnes Knipe, a daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Mary (Meranda) Knipe, who were 
of English and German descent; her father, a native 
of England, died in 1852; her mother, a native of this 
county, died in 1860. Those of the family who are 
still living are Samuel; Amanda, wife of Charles 
Okel, and Agnes, wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. 
Harlan are members of Village Creek Baptist Church, 
and are well respected in the community which has 
been their home since childhood. Mr. Harlan is a 
live business man, a keen observer, and generous in 
his support of benevolent and other enterprises of 
public interest. 

WILLIAM HART (deceased), late of Waterloo 
Township, was born in New York, December 1, 1796, 
and was a son of Henry and Ann B. Hart, New York- 
ers who settled in Pennsylvania, where both died. 
William, at the age of twenty-one, in 1817, located 
in Waterloo Township, this county. Here he was 
united in marriage with Sary, daughter of Aaron and 
Catharine (Snoterly), who bore him two children: 
David and Sarah. Mr. Hart was married on second 
occasion to Eliza Jane Cary, by whom he had sixteen 
children, viz.: Catharine, Elizabeth, William E., 
John C. , Hannah J., Barbara A., Andrew J., Malinda 
C, George W., Myra E., Susan F., William H., Pris- 
cilla A., Parmella A., Martha M., Mary E. Soon 
after his second marriage Mr. Hart, in company 
with Mr. Cary, went to Indianapolis, then a village, 
where they had a contract for clearing off the heavy 
timber from a portion of the land on which the city 
now stands. After the completion of this contract, 
Mr. Hart settled on land in W aterloo Township, 
this county, where he died. He creditably filled 
the offices of Justice of the Peace and Township 
Trustee. Though never a member of church, he was 
liberally disposed toward it and freely gave to its 
maintenance. He was widely and well known, and 
respected by all acquainted with him. He died Sep- 
tember 4, 1861. His widow is still living and is a 
resident of Warren County, Iowa. Madison Aber- 
nathy, deceased husband of Susan F. (Hart) Aber- 
nathy, daughter of William Hart, was born on the 
place where his widow now resides, in Jennings 
Township, this county, May 12, 1837. They were 
married in 1858 and five children were the result 
of this union: Mary A., Nancy J., Florence I., Jesse 
M., and an infant (deceased). Mr. Abernathy died 
August 8, 1881. His widow was born in Waterloo 
Township, this county, October 11, 1840. 

LEVI HARTMAN, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, one of the early pioneers of this county, was 
born in Franklin County, Ind., December 7, 1816, 
son of Henry and Nancy (Smith) Hai'tman, natives of 
Berks County, Penn., and of German and Irish 



descent. Henry Hartman was a son of Frederick 
Hartman, a native of Germany, who emigrated to 
the United States previous to the Revolutionary war, 
settling in Berks County, Penn., where he married 
Nancy Black, and thence, in 1813, moved to Franklin 
County, Ind., where he remained until death. He 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; the father of 
seven children: Jacob, Catherine, Frederick, Nancy, 
Michael, Hannah and Henry. Jacob, the eldest, 
father of our subject, was united in marriage with 
Nancy Smith, in Bucks County, Penn., and in 1813, 
in company with his parents, moved to Franklin 
County, Ind., settling near Brookville, where his 
wife died in 1816. He subsequently married Elsie 
Tharp, and in 1854 moved to Platte County, Mo., 
where they remained until their death. He was the 
fatherof eight children: Abraham, James and Levi, by 
first wife, and Jonathan, William, Nancy, Newton 
and Lovina by second wife. Levi, our subject, was 
the youngest child born to the first wife. His mother 
died when he was quite young, and his father being in 
very limited circumstances, he was compelled to earn 
his own living, in which he has been successful. He was 
married in this county in June, 1838, to Rebecca 
Mount, who bore him nine children: Nancy E., 
Alfred, John C, Hezekiah, Clarissa, Rhoda, Henry 
(deceased), Hannah and James. After marriage, Mr. 
Hartman rented a farm in this township, where he 
remained about eighteen years, and in the meantime 
bought land in Wabash County, Ind., which he after- 
ward sold, and in 1852 purchased and moved on the 
farm where he has since resided. He owns 420 acres 
of very tine land, which he has principally improved 
himself. He started in life a poor boy, and has 
acquired all he has through his energy, hard work 
and economy. Mr. Hartman has always voted with 
the Democratic party. 

CHINA HASTINGS (widow of Matthew Hast- 
ings), Fairview Township, was born in Montgom- 
ery County, Va., April 19, 1808. Her parents, 
Stephen and Margaret (Long) Reed, were natives of 
Virginia, the former born in 1784, the latter in 1781, 
They were married in Montgomery County, Va. In 
1825 they moved to Fayette County, Ind., and in 
1836 to Delaware County, same State, where they 
remained the balance of their lives. They were par- 
ents of the following children: Elizabeth, William, 
Fleming, Robert, Mary, Charity, Cornelius, Lewis 
and China. Mr. Reed died June 12, 1862, his wife 
having preceded him January 15, 1859. Our sub- 
ject, who is next to the eldest in the family, was mar- 
ried in Rush County, Ind., July 26, 1832, to Matthew 
Hastings, born in Adams County, Ohio, December 20, 
1805, son of Robert and Isabelle (Russel) Hastings, 
both natives of Ireland. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. 



280 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Matthew Hastings settled in Fairview Township, this 
county, where they resided until his death, which 
occurred September 7, 1881. There was no issue by 
this union. Mrs. Hastings owns 240 acres of fine 
land. 

THOMAS HECK, farmer, Posey Township, was 
born in Bracken County, Ky., in 1818, son of John 
and Catherine (Kemmer) Heck, former of whom died 
in Kentucky. In 1827 Mrs. Heck, with her three 
children, Nancy, Thomas and Mary, moved to Posey 
Township, this county, where she purchased the land 
on which her son now resides. Here Mrs. Heck, a 
genuine pioneer mother, lived and died. She was a 
woman of more than ordinary courage, unwavering in 
her devotion to her life's work, the making for her- 
self and children a home, the great object of her 
ambition, and in which she was successful. She was 
an exemplary Christian, a member of the New Light 
Church. She passed into life eternal in 1872, aged 
eighty-three years. Thomas Heck was married in 
1839, to Eliza, daughter of Peter Kemmer, a brother 
of John and son of Nicholas Kemmer. On the old 
homestead he has lived fifty-seven years, a length of 
time few men live in one place. Five children have 
been born to thom, three now living: Rachel, John 
and Lewis. Samuel and Louisa are deceased. 

J. J. HEIDER, blacksmith, Waterloo Township, 
was born in Somerset County, Penn., July 4, 1814, 
son of Leonard and Mary Heider. In his boyhood he 
accompanied his jsarents to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, 
and at New Philadelphia learned the trade of black- j 
smith, which he followed there till tWenty-two years 
of age. In 1836 he went to Iowa, where he remained 
one year and then returned to New Philadelphia, 
Ohio. In 1840 he went to Wabash County, Ind., 
where he became an Indian trader, trading with the 
Pottawatomie and Miami Indians in the Indian Re- 
serve. In 1846 he enlisted for service in the Mexican 
war, in the Seventh United States Regular Infantry 
He participated in the memorable campaigns of that 
war, doing his country good service for eighteen 
months, after which he was honorably discharged. 
In 1848 he settled in Springerville, where he has since 
resided and followed his trade. In 1851 Mr. Heider 
married Parmela Shepler, by whom he has had seven 
children, six of whom are now living: Mary, Jane, Cyn- 
thia, Jefferson, Alice and Joseph. Sophia is deceased. 
He and his wife are consistent members of the 
Lutheran Church, with which they have been con- 
nected eight years. Our subject is a worthy member 
of Brownsville Lodge, F. & A. M., with which he 
has been connected since 1864. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 

SAMUEL HEIZER, farmer, Columbia Town- 
ship, was born in Fayette County, Ind., November 



22, 1831, son of Joshua (who was a soldier in the 
war of 1812) and Jemima (Cory) Heizer, natives of 
Virginia and Ohio, respectively. They were married 
in Virginia in 1819, and immediately moved to this 
county, settling on the farm where our subject now 
resides, and where they both died. Their family 
numbered eight children: Hannah C, Elizabeth C, 
Mary A., Noah C, Lydia, Lavina, Joanna and Sam- 
uel, who is next to the youngest. He was married in 
this county, February 24, 1863, to Sarah A., daughter 
of Henry and Margaret (Waltz) Kershner, and after- 
ward settled on his present farm, where he has since 
resided. To Mr. and Mr§. Heizer were born eight 
children, all now living: Joshua H., Mary J., Mar- 
garet L., Ella E., Hannah C, Martha J., Helen M. 
and Charles C. Mr. Heizer is a worthy and affable 
gentleman, respected by all. He and his wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

S. H. HELVIE, farmer, Jennings Township, was 
born in Champaign County, Ohio, November 23, 
1843, and is a son of Peter A. and Eliza Helvie, 
natives of Virginia, who settled first in Ohio, but sub- 
sequently removed to Delaware County, Ind., where 
the father died. Our subject was reared to farming 
pursuits, receiving in the common schools a practical 
education. During the late war of the Rebellion he 
enlisted July 27, 1862, in Company B, Sixty-ninth 
Ind. V. I. He saw active service, having partici- 
pated in a number of engagements during the Rebell- 
ion, at the close of which he was honorably dis- 
charged. Mr. Helvie was married June 17, 1869, to 
Emma J., daughter .of William Lair (see sketch). 
To this union were born two children: William L. 
and Armor P. After marriage they settled upon a 
farm in Delaware County, Ind., where they lived 
twelve years, after which time they settled on the 
Lair homestead. Mr. Helvie is a F. & A. M. ; in poli- 
tics a Republican. 

HENRY HENRY (deceased), late of Waterloo 
Township, was a native of Ireland; emigrated to 
America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he was 
married to Margaret Little. In 1820, accompanied 
by his wife, his mother-in-law (Catherine Little) and 
nine children, William, James, John, Alexander, 
Henry L. , Ann, Mary, Jane and Cynthia, he moved 
to and settled in Waterloo Township, this county, 
where he lived during the rest of his life. He died 
December 31, 1859, aged eighty- two years. His 
widow died August 2, 1867, aged seventy-eight years, 
three months and eight days. Mrs. Catherine Little 
died October 4, 1855, aged eighty-six years, nine 
months and twelve days. Mr. Henry was a success- 
ful farmer, a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
William, eldest son of Henry Henry, and who was a 
boy when his parents came to Indiana, married 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



281 



Sarah M., daughter of Jesse and Nancy Shaw, who 
bore him eight children, six of whom are now living: 
Jesse S., John C, James L., Samuel K., Mary J. and 
Nancy M. Mr. Henry lived in the township all his 
life, a successful farmer and respected citizen. He 
held the office of Township Trustee several years, and 
was an efficient business man. He died July 12, 
1873, aged sixty- four years, six months and six days. 
His widow died August 12, 1881, aged sixty-five 
years and fifteen days. Mr. Henry was a Democrat 
in politics. Jesse S., son of William Henry, was born 
in 1836. He was reared on the farm, and the dis- 
trict schools afforded him the means for an education- 
He was married in 1859, to Elizabeth A., daughter of 
Levi Cross, since which time he has lived two years 
in Kush County and sixteen in Harrison Township, 
the most of the time on the old home place. He was 
elected Township Trustee in 1884, and has also held 
other minor offices. He had nine children, seven of 
whom are now living: William L. , Levi G. , Jesse O , 
Robert W., Alfred N., Effie M. and Ivy M. James 
M. and an infant are deceased. Mrs. Jesse S. Henry 
was born in Ohio, November 6, 1836, died July 14, 
1883. Jesse S. Henry owns a farm of 180 acres, 
utilized principally in grain jaroducing. He is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics. 

JAMES L. HENRY, farmer, Waterloo Township, 
son of William Henry and grandson of Henry Henry, 
was born on the old homestead in 1841, and his boy- 
hood was passed on the farm and in receiving his 
education in the district schools. In 1864 he mar- 
ried Roxinea, only child of Dr. W. R. Skinner (see 
sketch of Daniel Skinner) who has borne him one 
child — W. Albert. In 1878 Mr. Henry purchased a 
part of the old homestead where he now lives. He 
owns fifty and a half acres of good land. He and his 
estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episco 
pal Church (Robinson Chapel), with which they have 
been connected several years, and take much interest 
in religious matters. In politics he is a Democrat. 

EDWARD HIGH AM, carpenter, Harrison Town- 
ship, was bom in Wilmington, Del., February 
18, 1823. He received a good education; was raised 
a tanner, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed 
to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1856 he moved to 
Ohio, locating in Dayton, where he worked at pattern- 
making two years. In 1858 he returned to Delaware, 
remaining sixteen months; thence came to Fayette 
County, Ind., where he has remained ever since, fol- 
lowing carpentering and various other avocations. 
April 16, 1844, he married Miss Susanna D. Hamp- 
ton, a native of Wilmington, Del. Their home 
has been blessed with eight children, four now living: 
Sarah W., now Mrs. B. F. Guard; Anna, now Mrs. 
E. W. Hackleman; William H., married to Miss Mary 



Campbell, and resides in Milton, Ind. ; and Lucy 
Lee, now Mrs. Homer Hackleman. Mr. Higham is 
a member of the I. O. O. F. Subordiaate Lodge, and 
also a P. O. S. of A. Is a member of the Christian 
Church. 

THOMAS HINKSON, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, is one of the earliest sons of this county, hav- 
ing been born in Connersville Township on the farm 
where he now resides, December 10, 1816. He is a 
son of Thomas and Mary (Drenan) Hinkson, the for- 
mer a native of County Cavan, Ireland; the latter 
of Pennsylvania. They were married in Pennsyl- 
vania, moved to Virginia, and later to Ohio, where 
they were residents by turn of both Adams and Brown 
Counties. The family subsequently moved to Dear- 
born County, Ind., and in 1814 to the farm in this 
township where Mr. Hinkson now resides. This farm 
was purchased at the land sales of 1812, and here 
the father of the family died March 22, 1850, aged 
seventy-seven years; and the mother August 24, 1824, 
aged forty- four years. They were parents of ten chil- 
dren, two only now living — our subject and his sister 
Susanna, who is in charge of the household, Mr. 
Hinkson never having married. Our subject spent 
his early days on the farm where he still lives, and 
obtained a good education in the district schools. At 
his father's decease he inherited the old homestead, 
and here he will probably end his days. He is a man 
of keen intelligence and excellent character; is strong- 
ly attached to his home and friends, in the esteem of 
whom he occupies a high position. He was one of 
the first Township Trustees after the new Constitu- 
tion and enjoyed re-election. He has voted with the 
Democratic party all his life, casting his first Presi- 
dential vote for Martin Van Buren. 

ROBERT HOLLAND (deceased), late of Conners- 
ville Township, was born in County Fermanagh, Ire- 
land, August 21, 1779, and is a son of Mordecia Hol- 
land, a native of Ireland. The latter was a son of 
William Holland, who fled from his native Scotland 
during the persecution in the year 1641. John, 
brother of William, a minister of the Gospel, suffered 
martyrdom in this religious war. William fought at 
the battle of the Boyne, July 1, 1690, under William, 
Prince of Orange, who there defeated King James II. 
After the war he settled in Enniskillen, County Fer- 
managh, where Mordecia, the father of Robert, was 
born. Our subject left his native land. May 27, 
1816, for the hospitable shores of America, which he 
reached at New York, August 13 following. He set- 
tled in Chester County, Penn., where he resided two 
years, and then drifted with the tide of immigration 
to the great West, stopping in Hamilton County, Ohio, 
where, December 14, 1821, he was married to Margaret 
Stephenson, who bore nine children: James, Thomas, 



282 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



John, Rebecca N., Elizabeth, Robert, William A., 
Elsie J. and Mary. In 1822 he came to what is now 
Waterloo Township, this county, settling on 160 
acres of land in Section 2, which he entered from the 
United States Government, and where he lived till the 
day of his death. He was a model man, being honest, 
temperate, conscientious and liberal. The possessor 
of a good intellect, with retentive memory, he remem- 
bered all that he read, which made him a pleasing 
and instructive companion. Although starting in 
life at the beginning, he gradually worked upward iu 
the scale of prosperity, leaving,at his death, 400 acres 
of Indiana land. He died August 22, 1857. Mrs. 
Holland was born in Ohio in 1788; died May 14, 
1851, aged sixty-three years. 

ROBERT HOLLAND, farmer and ex-County 
Commissioner, Waterloo Township, is the fifth child 
and fourth son of Robert Holland, Sr., born where he 
now lives, November 26, 1829. His boyhood was 
passed in the manner usual to youth in a new country, 
receiving in the common schools a practical educa- 
tion. Upon attaining his majority he began life on 
his own account, selecting farming as his avocation. 
He was married, in 1861, to Miss Eda, daughter 
of Henry McMullen, and who, after three years of 
happiness, was called to another life, dyiug July 5, 
1864, when in the bloom of youth, aged twenty-eight 
years, throe months and eleven days. Mr. Holland 
was elected a member of the Board of County Com- 
missioners in 1863, to serve three years. He has also 
served out an uncomi:)leted term to which he was ap- 
pointed. He has executive ability of a high order, 
and takes rank with the intelligent, influential men 
of the county. He was elected to the office of Justice 
of the Peace in 1884. He is an uncompromising 
Republican, having always voted with that party 
upon all leading questions. His farm consists of 207 
acres of excellent land, highly improved. 

WILLIAM A. HOLLAND, County Commissioner 
and farmer, Waterloo Township, was born on the 
old homestead in the year 1833, and is the fifth 
son and seventh child of Robert Holland. By close 
application to study in the common schools he qual 
ified himself to teach, which for ten consecutive win- 
ters he successfully did in country schools. In 1859 
he was married to Mary A., daughter of John Scholl, 
after which he located on his present farm and has 
prospered. To this union five children have been 
born: Alice N., James F., John W., (Charles E. and 
Edie B. In 1872 Mr. Holland was elected to the 
Board of County Commissioners, with which he has 
since been identified. His well-balanced mind, al- 
ways deliberate in actions, makes him an almost in- 
dispensable acquisition to the Board of the county, 
where his judgment is regarded sound. The town- 



ship he has assessed once: has been Clerk of the 
Board of Trustees two terms. Although originally 
a Democrat, he now votes the straight Republican 
ticket. His farm comjarises 480 acres of well-im- 
proved and highly cultivated land. 

JOHN HONEAS, farmer, Jennings Township, 
was born in Berks County, Penn., August 10, 
1811. He spent his early life in bis native State and 
when a grown man removed to Miamisburg, Ohio. 
After living there a short time he continued his jour- 
ney to Fayette County, where he found employment 
as teamster. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter 
of Thomas Simpson, Sr. , the first settler on Simpson's 
Creek, and settled near where he now lives. Eight 
children were born to this union, four of whom are 
now living: William H. H., Thomas D., John and 
James. The deceased are : Peter, Sarah E. , Mary and 
Elizabeth. In 1861 Mr. Honeas enlisted in Com- 
pany K, Fifty-seventh Ind. V. I. , but was soon after 
transferred lo Company I. He fought at Shiloh, 
Pittsburg Landing, Perry ville, Ky. , and on other 
battle-fields of less note. After serving two years 
and two months he was honorably discharged on 
account of disability. His son Peter was a member 
of the same company and regiment. Thomas, another 
son, was in Company D, same regiment, and a third 
son, William H. H., volunteered in 1861, in the Sec- 
ond Ind. C, serving his time. All were good 
soldiers. Mr. Honeas owns a farm of fifty acres 
improved land. He cast his first vote with the Dem- 
ocratic party, but since the days of Van Buren he has 
affiliated with the Whigs and subsequently with the 
Republicans. Mr. Honeas has been connected with 
the Evangelical Church since he was seventeen years 
of age, and has lived the life of a consistent Chris- 
tian. 

JOHN HUBBELL, farmer, Waterloo Township, 
was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1814. He 
is a son of John and Barbara (Varner) Hubbell, the 
former born in New Jersey, a son of John and Mary 
(Robinson) Hubbell, natives of New England, who 
moved to Pennsylvania when their son John was 
eight years old. Here they lived twelve years, after 
which the family, except John, removed to Ohio, and 
settled in Butler County. The son remained in 
Pennsylvania one year, engaged in cutting cord wood, 
after which be walked the entire distance in midwinter, 
to rejoin his parents in Ohio, where he was soon after 
married. In 1817 he removed and settled in Water- 
loo Township, Fayette County, Ind. He bought 160 
acres of land, all in the woods, for which he paid 
f 600. Here he lived the balance of his life. Although 
laboring under many disadvantages, he succeeded in 
getting together considerable property. He was a 
pious man, holding membership in the New Light 



PAYETTE COUNTY. 



283 



Church, known as the Christian Church. Strongly 
built physically, ho endured the hardships encoun- 
tered in the woods with an ease few could equal. 
Ten children were born to him, three now living: 
John, Jane Lyons and Rebecca Remington. Those 
deceased are Mary, Hannah, Sarah, Leonard, Eliza- 
beth, Abijah and Ann. He died September 22, 1867, 
aged ninety-two years, ten months and eight days. 
His wife died April 21, 1859, aged eighty years. 
John Hubbell, the grandfather of our subject, was a 
Revolutionary soldier. He settled in Jennings Town- 
ship, Fayette County, Ind., where he lived many 
years. He and his wife were members of the New 
Light Church and consistent Christians. They 
removed to Henry County, Ind., where they died. 
Their eight children were John, Daniel, Isaac, Abi- 
jah, Samuel, Rachel, Sarah and Fanny. John, the 
subject of this sketch, was married to Elizabeth A. 
Chenault, October 10, 1833. After this event they 
began housekeeping with a few pots and scant home- 
made furniture in a small log-cabin on his father's 
farm. Here they lived five years. Our subject has 
worked for $5 per month and 25 cents per day. He 
cropped with his father and in the five years made 
enough to buy 160 acres of land for which he paid 
$300. Besides this he bought stock and tools. He 
now owns 240 acres of good land. Eleven children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell, six of whom are 
now living: Cynthia T., Abner B., Madison E., Eliz- 
abeth A., Martha C, John E. The deceased are 
Mary M., Barbara E., Indiana, Franklin and Christa 
Add. Abner Chenault, father of Mrs. Hubbell, was 
born in North Carolina, and was a son of William and 
Susan (Walker) Chenault. He married Mary Fergu- 
son, and in 1812 they settled in Union County, Ind. 
Indians at that time surrounded them and they fre- 
quently sought protection in the fort. They were 
Baptists in religious belief. They were parents of 
twelve children, two now living: Elizabeth A. and 
Susan. The deceased are: Judy, Hannah, William, 
Jane, Polly, Ada and four unnamed. Mr. Chenault 
died May 23, 1851, aged seventy- eight years, four 
months and twenty days. His wife died July 18, 
1849, aged seventy-three years, three months and 
twelve days, and was buried in Springerville Cemetery, 
Waterloo Township, Fayette Co., Ind., where are 
also laid the remains of the parents of the subject 
of this sketch. 

HON. MATTHEW R. HULL (deceased) was born 
in Taylor County, Va., December 1, 1809. His 
father, Jacob Hull, was of Qerman extraction, born 
July 4, 1776, in the city of Philadelphia, at an hour 
when the bell of Independence was ringing out a 
nation's freedom. Our subject came to Fayette 
County, Ind., in 1828, and for a period made his 



home at the house of an uncle, Matthew Robinson, for 
whom he was named. He received such educational 
advantages as were then afibrded to ordinary farmers' 
children, and for a time was engaged in teaching in 
the county. He early learned the saddlery trade, 
which he followed at different points in the county. 
On the 29th of November, 1832, he was married to 
Miss Sarah A. Hanson, of this county, and to them 
were born: Oscar H., Justinian H, John W. , Jane 
H., Matthew R., Jr., and Mahala A. (deceased). Mrs. 
Hull died Octeber 5, 1855. She was a Wesleyan 
Methodist, and a good Christian woman. In 1832 
Mr. Hull, in connection with C. B. Smith, started in 
Connersville the Indiana Sentinel, which after one 
year Mr. Hull published for several years himself. 
He subsequently published papers in Ohio, all of 
which are mentioned as having spirited editorials, 
and being true to the principles published. " He was 
a terse and vigorous writer, and was never afraid of 
opposition. The truth as he understood it was sure 
to come, let it fall where it would. " He was a man of 
more than ordinary talents, and but for his instability 
he would have gone into the National Congress. He 
always occupied ground in advance of most men of 
his day in all matters of reform. He was an Aboli- 
tionist when it cost something to speak in favor of the 
colored man. He was a temperance reformer whea 
there was no popularity in the movement. These 
facts are mentioned in palliation of his instability. 
When the masses came to his views he would move 
forward and still occupy ground far in advance. He 
was a generous man; he never saw the day when the 
last meal would not have been divided with the needy. 
In religion he was a humanitarian." Mr. Hull, in 
1839, was chosen a Representative from this county, 
in the State Legislature, having for his colleague 
Samuel W. Parker. He took great interest in matters 
pertaining to agriculture, and was instrumental in 
improving the stock of the county. His death 
occurred July 12, 1875; his widow still survives. In 
later life Matthew R. Hull was identified with the 
Democratic party. John W., the third son, is a resi- 
dent of the county, living at Alquina, at which village 
be was born, July 23, 1839. In 1863 he married 
Maria, daughter of John J. Burk, and to this union 
have been born nine childi'en, eight of whom are now 
living. 

L. S. HUNT, merchant, Fayetteville, Orange Town- 
ship, was born in Rush County, Ind., January 24, 1838. 
His parents, A. W. and Margaret (Stephen) Hunt, 
were natives of New Jersey and Ohio, respectively. 
A. W. Hunt was a son of Jonathan and Jane (Smith) 
Hunt, who in 1816 moved to the State of Indiana, 
settling near Brookville, on the banks of the White- 
water River, and subsequently moved to Rush County, 



284 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



where they remained until their death. They were 
the parents of eight children: Elizabeth, Abijah W., 
Sarah, Harrison, Samuel, Morgan, Caroline and Eliza. 
A. W., the father of our subject, was next to the 
eldest, born February 8, 1807, and came with his 
parents to Indiana in 1816. He was married in Rush 
County, to Margaret Stephen, a native of Ohio, born 
in 1812. After their marriage they settled in Rush 
County, where Mr. Hunt still remains, his wife hav- 
ing died in 1864. Their children, twelve in number, 
were Jane, Mary, John, Levi S., Ann, America, Car- 
oline, Eliza, Amanda, Entis, Franklin and Leonis. 
L. S., our subject, was married in Fayette County, 
Ind., November 19, 1863, to Matilda, born in this 
county November 15, 1843, daughter of Silas H.and 
Martha S. (Dickens) Stone. To this union three chil- 
dren were born: Riley, Geston P. and Lemoine C 
After marriage Mr. Hunt settled in Rush County, 
where he engaged in farming until 1868, when he 
moved to Fayetteville, and opened a store, where he has 
since conducted an extensive mercantile business. He 
is a wide awake business man, a member of the Chris 
tian Church. 

JONATHAN HUSSEY, farmer, Posey Township, 
was born in Guilford County, N. C, July 20, 1812; 
son of John and Mary (Thornburgh) Hussey, natives 
of Guilford County, N. C, and of English and Irish 
descent; former a son of John and Mary (Jessup) 
Hussey. The j^arents of our subject were united in 
marriage in Guilford County, N. C. , where tliey re- 
mained until the father's death, which occurred in 
1816. The widow subsequently married Robert Pit- 
man, and moved with him to Fayette County, Ind., 
in the fall of 1833. They afterward moved to Wayne 
County, where she died in 1864. She was the 
mother of six children: Jonathan, Henry and Joseph 
by Mr. Hussey, and John H. , Milton and Mary by 
Mr. Pitman. Jonathan, our subject, the eldest in 
the family, came with his mother to this county 
in 1833, where he was married, March 11, 1841, 
to Louisa, daughter of John and Rachel (Beard) 
Fraizer, and born in this county December 2, 1824. 
She died September 23,' 1880. After his marriage he 
settled on the farm which he had purchased previous- 
ly, and on which he has since resided. He owns 240 
acres of fine land in this county, and also a farm in 
Madison County. To Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hussey 
were born ten children: Blias, John (deceased), Hen- 
ry, Jesse (deceased), Eunice, LindJey, Rachel, El- 
wood, Mary J. and Sarah O. Mr. Hussey was 
brought up a member of the Society of Friends, but 
since his early life he has not been prominently 
identified with them, although he clings to the tenets 
of their faith. In early life he voted with the 
Whigs, afterward with the Free Soilers, and since 



1856 with the Republicans. He is one of the self- 
made men of the county, having begun life with but 
a small capital. 

HENRY HUSSEY, farmer, Posey Township, is a 
son of Jonathan and Louisa Hussey, the Husseys be- 
ing an old and well-respected family of Posey Town- 
ship, Fayette Co., Ind. (see sketch of Jonathan Hus- 
sey). The subject of this sketch was born in this 
county March 2, 1845, and was married in Wayne 
County, September 27, 1871, to Victoria V., daugh- 
ter of Veniah and Sarah (Rood) Murray, and born 
in Rush County, Ind., September 11, 1848. Their 
family numbered five children; Jesse H. , Murray B. 
(deceased), John A. (deceased), Sarah and Eunice. 
After his marriage Mr. Hussey settled in Posey Town- 
ship, this county, where he remained until 1879, at 
which time he moved to Wayne County and settled 
on the farm where he now lives. He owns 132 acres 
of land in Wayne County, and 113 in Fayette County. 

LINDLEY HUSSEY, farmer, Posey Township, 
son of Jonathan and Louisa Hussey, of this town- 
ship (see slietch of Jonathan Hussey), was born in 
Fayette County, Ind., March 30, 1850. He was unit- 
ed in marriage in Wayne County, Ind., September 
25, 1880, with Mary A., daughter of Daniel and Anna 
M. (Snow) Wbiteley, of Wayne County, of which 
she is a native, born February 2, 1861, and their 
family numbers two children: Louisa M. and Will- 
iam S. After marriage Mr. Hussey settled on the 
farm where ho at jiresent resides. He owns eighty 
acres of tine land, well-improved. 

JEFFERSON H. JEMISON, farmer, Jackson 
Township, is a native of this county and town- 
ship, born June 23, 1819. His father, John Jemison, 
was born in Mason County, Ky., in 1800, died July 
17, 1851; his mother, Cynthia (Coe) Jemison, was 
born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1796, died May 23, 
1874. They came to this county in 1815, and Mr. 
Jemison carried on farming and tanning. Our sub- 
ject received a common school education. He was 
married, May 12, 1842, to Miss Anchor Sutton, who 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., February 7, 1823, 
daughter of Absalom Sutton. The four children 
born to this union were Cynthia J., Meredith H. , 
John A., born January 11, 1847, died December 7, 
1851, and Elijah A., born March 1, 1851, died Feb- 
ruary 8,' 1852. Mr. Jemison owns 160 acres of 
land on Section 20. He has followed farming and 
raising stock all his life. He served as Supervisor of 
Roads and as School Director for several years. Mr. 
Jemison is a stout, robust man for his years, and has 
bright prospects of attaining a good old age. 

SAMUEL P. JEMISON, farmer and County 
Commissioner from Third District, Jackson Town- 
ship, also proprietor of a general store and grain 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



285 



business in Nulltown — place of residence on Section 
13, 244 acres — is a native of JacksoD Township, Fay- 
ette County, born June 21, 1830. Owing to the new- 
ness of the country and limited facilities in his boy- 
hood days, he received only a common school educa- 
tion. His father, John Jemison, was born in Mason 
County, Ky., in 1800; died July 17, 1851. His 
mother, Cynthia (Coe) Jemison, was born in Loudoun 
County, Va., in 1796; died May 23, 1874. They came 
to Indiana in 1815. Samuel P. Jemison was married 
March 10, 1852, to Miss Margaret Salyer, a native of 
this county, born December 2, 1832. By this union 
four children were born: Clarissa A., Cynthia E., 
Charles W. and Sarah J. Mr. Jemison was elected 
County Commissioner in the fall of 1876, and 
re-elected in the fall of 1880. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F., also a member of Nulltown Grange, 
No. 1883; a consistent member of the Universalist 
Church. He is an active, energetic citizen, and suc- 
cessful in all his enterprises. 

CYRUS JEFFREY, farmer, Fairview Town- 
ship, was born in Fayette County, Ind., April 19, 
1848. His parents, Ephraim and Jane (Thompson) 
Jeffrey, were natives of New York and Kentucky, 
respectively. They were married in this county, and 
afterward settled finally on the farm where our sub- 
ject now resides, and there they died, the former July 
7, 1883. the latter December 30, 1882. Their chil- 
dren were Hiram N., William, Fanny and Cyrus. 
Our subject, who is next to the eldest iu the family, 
was married in Rush County, Ind., September 25, 
1873, to Olive A., daughter of William and Mary 
(Wiles) Moffitt, and born in this county, August 28, 
1853, one of nine children: Thomas, Martha, Elmira, 
Emeline, Albertine, Margaret, Olive A., William and 
Morton. To our subject and wife were born live chil- 
dren: Lulie M., William E., Edwin W., Mamie J. 
and Lonnie C. After marriage Mr. Jelfrey settled on 
a farm owned by his father in this township, Section 
11, and in 1884 moved on the farm where he now 
resides. 

SAMUEL JOBE (deceased), late of Waterloo 
Township, was born in Ireland in 1805. In 1831 he 
immigrated to America, locating in Butler County, 
Ohio. He was married, March 24, 1835, to Emma, 
daughter of Obadiah and Hannah Welliver, and a 
native of Butler County, Ohio, born April 3, 1815. 
The same year they settled where Mrs. Jobe now 
resides. Mr. Jobe lirst bought forty acres of land, 
for which he paid $12.50 per acre. He had little 
money, but by the brave assistance rendered by his 
helping wife he succeeded, and at his death owned 172 
acres of good land. He died May 2, 1875. Our sub- 
ject was a member of the Presbyterian Church, to 
which he was devotedly attached. He was a hard- 



working, industrious man, and had the respect of all 
who knew him. To him and his wife were born eleven 
children, five of whom are now living: Mary, Matthew, 
Hannah, Isaac and John. The deceased are Eliza- 
beth, Samuel J., Margaret E. , Obadiah W., Joseph 
D. and Martha. 

TAYLOR JOHN, farmer, Connersville Township, 
is a native of Kentucky, son of Jonathan John, a 
notice of whom is given in the history of the town- 
ship proper, and was born in 1808. He came to 
Indiana in 1816, and has for sixty-eight years endured 
the toils and trials incident to pioneer and farming 
life. Mr. John labored on the farm with his parents 
till twenty-five years of age, obtaining but a limited 
education in the crude schools of those days held in 
log schoolhouses with paper windows. He was mar- 
ried in 1835 to Eliza Wolf, also a native of Kentucky, 
daughter of Henry and Mary Wolf, who removed to 
this county about 1819, and died here. By this mar- 
riage there were seven children: Benjamin, William 
H., Jonathan, Marshall, Mary, Hannah and Susan. 
Hannah is deceased. Benjamin and Jonathan en- 
listed in the late war of the Rebellion, in which the 
latter contracted disease from exposure, from which 
he died. Benjamin never returned and is now sup- 
posed to be also among the dead. At his father's 
death, in 1838, Mr. John inherited his present farm 
of eighty acres from the latler's estate, and on this 
farm he has since resided, following the pursuit of 
agriculture. He is one of the oldest settlers of Fay- 
ette County, the interests of which he has labored for 
sixty-eight years to sustain, and one of the few who 
lent the vigor of their young lives for the county's 
development. 

GREENUP JOHN, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, was born in Kentucky, June 10, 1810. He is a 
son of Jonathan John, a notice of whom is given in 
the township history proper. He came to this town- 
ship with his parents in 1816, and has since resided 
here. In January, 1836, he married Jeannette, 
daughter of James and Sallie Bowers, and with this 
estimable wife he shared the fortunes of life till her 
death in June, 1874. In 1836 Mr. John purchased 
120 acres of land which by hard labor he has culti- 
vated and improved and on which he still lives. He 
has two children living: Wesley and Edward. The 
deceased are Mahala and Henry. Mr. John is one of 
the oldest settlers of the county, and his life has been 
one of toil. He has always been a farmer, a man 
highly esteemed in his community as a man of honor 
and integrity. 

JAMES W. JOHNSON, farmer, Columbia Town- 
ship, is a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., born 
May 9, 1851, son of Cornelius and Jane (Robinson) 
Johnson, natives of New York, the former of whom was 



286 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



born May 4, 1824, and the latter June 28, 1827. They 
were married about the year 1843, in Schoharie County, 
and there, in 1856, moved to this county, where 
they remained until their death. Cornelius Johnson 
died September G, 1877, and his wife July 31, 1869. 
Their children are Delanea, Celestia and James W., 
the youngest. Our subject was married ia this county, 
December 28, 1870, to Naomi J. Perkins, born in this 
county, September 24, 1849, daughter of James H. 
and Frances (Morrow) Perkins, who were the parents 
of ten children: Charles H., Naomi J., Delora A., 
Sarah A., Amanda E., Louisa B., Ida M., Lewis T., 
Glendora, and one that died in infancy. Mr. and 
Mrs. James W. Johnson have five children: Celestia 
C, Perry L., Frances and Francenia (twins) and 
James F. After marriage our subject rented a farm 
in this township, where he remained until 1872, 
when he purchased and moved on one of his own. 
In 1879 he settled on his present farm, owning in all 
464 acres of fine land. 

L. H. JONAS, farmer. Orange Township, was 
born in Fayette County, Ind., September 17, 1838, 
one of eight children born to Daniel and Matilda L. 
(Pool) Jonas, former of whom was born in Tennessee 
in 1801, and the latter in Virginia in 1810. They 
v?ere married in Virginia, and from there, in 1834, 
moved to this county, settling in Columbia Township, 
where they remained until their death, Mr. Jonas 
dying January, 1867, his widow in September, 1869. 
Their children were: Jacob M., Mary E., Liburn H., 
Susan A., John K., William A., Martha J. and 
James A. L. H., our subject, enlisted August 20, 
1862, in Company G, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and 
served until June 16, 1865, when he was discharged. 
During his service he participated in several hard- 
fought battles and skirmishes. He was captured 
July, 1864, at Macon, Ga., while on the Stoneman 
raid, and was confined in Andersonville and other 
prisons about nine months. After his discharge he 
returned to Fayette County, Ind., and was here mar- 
ried, October 26, 1865, to Nancy J., born in this 
county, March 20, 1846, daughter of Edmond and 
Sarah (Matney) Stevens, and to this union were born 
three children: Laura A, born December 22, 1866; 
Amanda, born April 26, 1868, and William C, born 
July 26, 1874. After his marriage our subject set- 
tled first in Columbia Township, and in December, 
1866, moved on the farm where he has since resided. 
He owns eighty acres of fine land well-improved. 
Mr. and Mrs. Jonas are members of the United 
Brethren Church. 

WILLIAM C. JONES (deceased) late of Waterloo 
Township, was born in Maryland, February 2, 1806. 
He was left an orphan at an early age, thrown entirely 
upon his own resources. In 1821, alone, be started 



for the West, walking the greater part of the distance, 
and located in Fayette County, Ind. He worked by the 
month on a farm several years, after which he learned 
the blacksmith trade at Blooming Grove, and then 
opened for himself a shop in Waterloo. For three 
years he followed his trade, laying up enough 
money to buy a small home, which brought him forty 
acres of laud, and he then combined farming with 
blacksmithing. After this he bought 1 10 acres, which 
became the homestead now owned by H. L. Jones, 
his son. Here he lived during the balance of his 
natiural life. He was a self-made man in every sense 
of the word. By his untiring energy, indomitable 
will and great decision of character he overcame the 
obstacles of life and acquired the distinction of 
becomincr a leading and influential citizen. He was 
an upright, honest man, and all who knew him re- 
spected him for his many excellent traits of character. 
He married Mary Williams, who bore him eight chil 
dren : Lucinda, H. L., J. B., Emma, Rebecca, J. 
K., Eliza and Sarah. Mr. Jones was a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
which he was connected the greater portion of his life. 
He was one of the organizing members of the Robin- 
son Chapel, and the contractor of the church building 
erected in 1845. His wife was a member of the 
same church, and like her husband took an active 
part, which only ended with her life. Mr. Jones 
died August?, 1881; his widow January 7, 1882, aged 
seventy- four years. 

H. L. JONES, farmer, Waterloo Township, is the 
second child and eldest son of William C. Jones, and 
was born in this township, February 8, 1831. His boy- 
hood was passed on the farm, and in the common 
schools he obtained a practical education. February 
2, 1851, he married Catherine, born in Fayette 
County, 1831, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah 
(Fell) Stephensjof Wayne County, Ind. To Mi-, and 
Mrs. Jones eight children have been born, four of 
whom are now living, viz. : Emma H., wife of Charles 
H. Bailey; Leora R. , wife of Dr. J. A. Sutclifife; Anna 
L., wife of H. T. Krebs, and Alice O. The deceased 
were named Chandas G., Isaac B., IdaH. and Augusta 
H. Mr. Jones and his estimable wife are exemplary 
members of the Methodist Church — Robinson Chapel 
— with which they have been connected a long time, 
evincing in their daily walks and acts the true spirit 
of Christians. He owns 480 acres of excellent land 
richly improved. 

J. B. JONES, farmer, Waterloo Township, is the 
third child and second son of William C. Jones, and 
born in this township January 17, 1833. He was 
reared to farm pursuits, and in the district schools 
obtained a practical education. He was married to 
Hannah T. 'feaif*!'-, who has borne him ten children, 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



287 



nine of whom are now living: Laura I., William E., 
J. B. Jr., Cora H., Omer L., Sarah A., Elmer E. , 
Orville K., Lillie. Horace G., the second child and 
eldest son, is deceased. Mr. Jones is one of the most 
enterprising farmers of Fayette County. He has no 
superior as a financier, and his growth in wealth is 
healthily developed. He is the largest landholder in 
the township, if not in the county. He and his 
estimable wife are consistent members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, to which they have belonged 
several years. 

THOMAS JONES, farmer, Orange Township, 
was born in Bracken County, Ky., October 16, 1811. 
His parents, William and Lucinda (Ginn) Jones, 
were natives of Culpeper County, Va. ; the former 
born in 1792, and the latter in 1793. They were 
married in Bracken County, Ky., where they remained 
until 1816, when they moved to this county, settling 
first on the banks of the Whitewater River, but sub- 
sequently purchased a farm and moved to Columbia 
Township, after which they moved into Connersville 
Township, where they remained until their death. 
Mr. Jones was among the first settlers of Fayette 
County, and well understood the hardships and priva- 
tions of pioneer life. He died December 21, 1871, 
his wife having preceded him May 9, 1862. Their 
children were as follows: Jonathan, Eliza, Theo- 
philus, Mary, George W., Nancy, Ezekisl, Susan, 
James T., Margaret A. and Thomas. Our subject, 
who is next to the eldest in the family, came with 
his parents to this county in 1816, where he was mar- 
ried November 17, 1831, to Matilda, daughter of 
William and Mary A. (Tyner) Martin, who was born 
in this county, October 1, 1813. She died October 2, 
1848. To this union were born nine children: Mary 
A. (deceased), George W., Richard, Lucinda, Mary A. 
(deceased), Malinda, Eliza J., Elizabeth and Nancy 
M. After his marriage Mr. Jones first rented land 
for three years, and then purchased and moved on 
the farm where he has since resided. He was again 
married in this county, August 12, 1849, on second 
occasion to Auis, daughter of James and Anna (Mar- 
tin) Trousler, and who was born in this county, Feb- 
ruary 10, 1821. To this union were born seven 
children: Martin M., Alice E., Jonathan (deceased), 
Huldah, Adis, William T. and an infant daughter 
(deceased). 

IRA L. KELLOGG, machinist, Posey Township, 
was born in Posey Township, this county, October 3, 
1843. He was reared on a farm and received a good 
common school education. In 1871 he engaged in 
the saw-mill business at Bentonville, for five years; 
then farmed for two years and in 1878 he went to 
Kansas and farmed there. In 1880 he returned to 
Indiana and engaged with the Dorsey Reaper Com- 



pany. Mr. Kellogg was united in marriage, August 
22, 1865, with Miss Myra E. Harland, who was born 
in Connersville Township, this county, October 13, 
1845, and their union has been blessed with three 
children: Autha, born July 8, 1866, died April 27, 
1868; Altha E., and Clarence H. 

SAMUEL J. KEMMER, farmer, Posey Township, 
was born in Bracken County, Ky., in 1823; son of 
John Kemmer, who was a son of Nicholas and Sarah 
(Pholer) Kemmer. Nicholas was born in Germany 
and emigrated to this country previous to the Revo- 
lutionary war, when eighteen years old. He was one 
of the band of men disguised as Indiana who boarded 
the English vessels lying in Boston Harbor and threw 
overboard the tea that had been refused a landing. 
He served during the war that followed, doing his 
adopted country signal service. He was at Yorktown 
when Gen. Cornwallis surrendered, and saw the two 
Generals in conversation after the capitulation. 
After the close of the war he settled in Lancaster 
County, Penn., where he married, after which event he 
removed to Kentucky, and in 1833 settled in Posey 
Township, where he died in 1839. He had eight 
children, two of whom are now living: Daniel and 
Samuel. John Kemmer was married in 1820 to 
Sarah Overturf, and their children were: Mary Ann, 
Matilda Jane, Samuel J., Melvina, Sarah, Mehetabel, 
Sanford, Harvey and Lewis. In 1831 Mr. Kemmer 
left Kentucky and settled in Posey Township, where 
he died August 29, 1864. He was rather above the 
average of men — a favorite with his fellows, unosten- 
tatious in manner, honest in his dealings, and withal 
an excellent citizen — a kind and affectionate husband 
and father. His widow was born in Kentucky, in 
1802. She is yet living, vigorous in mind and body. 
The subject of this sketch is a lover of good books, 
and has the best farmer's library in the county. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F., Subordinate and 
Encampment. He owns 275 acres of land, all under 
cultivation and well improved, one of the best farms 
in Posey Township. Samuel J. Kemmer has been 
twice married, the first time, January 13, 1849, to 
Elizabeth Campbell, by whom he had five children: 
Sarah J., Luzena A., Elizabeth E., Mary F. and 
Emma F. Mrs. Kemmer died July 4, 1860. His 
second marriage was with Julia A. Shaw, in 1862. 
He votes with the Republican party. 

SANFORD KEMMER, farmer, Posey Township, 
is the seventh child of John and Sarah (Overturf) 
Kemmer, of whom mention is made in the sketch of 
Samuel J. Kemmer. He was born in 1832, where 
he now lives with his aged mother. 

LEWIS KEMMER, farmer, Posey Township, is 
the youngest of nine children born to John and 
Sarah (Overturf) Kemmer, mention of whom is made 



288 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



in the sketch of Samuel J. Kemmer. He was born 
in this county and township November 13, 1839, and 
was here married April 14, 1861, to Sarah J., daugh- 
ter of Levi and Susan Ayers, of this township, and 
born in this county March 31, 1837. They have two 
children — Virginia and Claronettie. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Kemmer settled on his brother's farm in 
Posey Township, Fayette County, where he remained 
about nine years, and thence moved on an adjoining 
farm and remained aboiat fourteen years. In 1875 
he purchased his present farm, and in 1883 erected a 
fine house, where he has since resided. 

DANIEL KERSCHNER, farmer and inventor, 
Harrison Township, was born in Harrison Township, 
Fayette County, Ind. , July 24, 1846, a son of Dan- 
iel Kerschner, who was born in Berks County, Penn., 
and emigrated to Indiana in 1833. He died August 
23, 1860. Our subject acquired a common school 
education. He was married December 18, 1873, to 
Miss Ella R. Scofield, also of Fayette County, Ind., 
who bore him four children: Irene (died September 
23, 1875), Daniel F., Clara M. and Ina L. Mr. 
Kerschner has been engaged in farming nearly all his 
life. He is an inventive genius and has produced 
two useful patents, viz., horse corn drill and corn cul- 
tivator. 

DANIEL KLINE (deceased), late of Waterloo 
Township, was born in Chester County, Penn., 
about the year 1791; son of Isaac Kline, who was de- 
scended from German stock. The subject of this sketch 
was reared in Pennsylvania, where he was married to 
Catherine Weichey. When two children — Isaac and 
Henry — had been born to them, they removed, in 
1825, by team and wagon, to Waterloo Township, 
this county, where Mr. Kline purchased the quarter 
section now owned by his son Benjamin, and after 
that eight children were born to them: Mary, John, 
Abraham and Benjamin (twins), Daniel, Samuel, 
William and John. Here our subject lived many 
years and prospered, having added enough to the 
scant means he brought to make himself independent 
of the ordinary demands of the world. He died in 
Huntington County, Ind., May 27, 1873. He was an 
exemplary member of the German Baptist Church, 
though previously he held membership in the Chris- 
tian Church, of which his wife was a devoted mem- 
ber. She died October 6, 1862, aged sixty-two years. 
Benjamin Kline is the only representative of the 
family in Fayette County; born January 1, 1834. He 
was reared on the farm where he was born and on 
which he has always lived. He now owns the old 
homestead, which is complete in its original condition. 

MATT. T. LAIR, farmer, Jennings Township, 
was born on the old homestead in Fayette County, in 
1832, son of William Lair, who was born in Rock- 



ingham County, Va. , July 7, 1784. When the latter 
was but a child his father, Matthias Lair, also a Vir- 
ginian, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, set- 
tled in what is now Harrison County, Ky., where he 
died. William' Lair was first married in Kentucky 
to Rachel, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Bell. His 
second wife, Emily Bell, born in the year 1804, was 
a sister of his first wife, and the mother of his chil- 
dren, twelve in number, viz. : Samuel (deceased), 
Sarah (deceased), Joseph, Rachel, Matthias, Harriet 
(deceased), Adeline. Charles, Osa (deceased), Sophia, 
John and Jennie. Mr. Lair served in the war of 
1812-15, and was in the battle of the Thames, 
Canada, and after the tight saw the lifeless body of 
the famous Indian chief, Tecumseh. Before going 
into service he had followed boating on the Ohio and 
Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries, making fre- 
quent trips to New Orleans, returning on foot through 
a wilderness where the houses were frequently many 
miles apart. Once, in the early history of steam nav- 
igation, he attempted an up- trip in a steamboat, but 
its progress was so slow he abandoned it and took to 
the woods on foot, and beat the vessel to Louisville. 
After the close of the war of 1812 he removed to In- 
diana, then a Territory, and settled where S. H. Hel- 
vie, his son-in-law, now lives, entering at the time 
160 acres of land, upon which the rest of his natural 
life was passed. When he began in life he had only 
sufficient moans to secure his land, but being indus- 
trious and a good manager, he steadily increased his 
accumulations, which at his death aggregated $35,- 
000. Though small in stature, he was symmetrically 
built, muscular, and capable of enduring, with but 
little fatigue, the heavy burdens that devolved upon 
him. Politically he was a Whig of strong anti -slavery 
principles. Before leaving Kentucky he gave free- 
dom to two slaves. He held the office of Township 
Trustee for several years. He died October 7, 1870; 
his widow March 11, 1881. The subject of this 
sketch was reared to farming pursuits, and attended 
the district schools during the winter season, obtain- 
ing a common yet practical education. He has been 
three times married; first to Martha Ross, who bore 
him one child — Edna. By his second wife, Rebecca 
D. Ferguson, he had four children: Georgia (de- 
ceased, aged three years), Charles, Rozzie and Em- 
ma Kate. He married for his third and last wife 
Ella Sparks — no issue. He is a worthy member of 
Warren Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M., at Connersville. 
He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Subordinate and 
Encampment. His farm comprises 160 acres, and is 
well improved. Politically he is a stanch Republi- 
can, and an efficient, worker in the ranks of the party. 
CHARLES W. LAIR, farmer, Jennings Town- 
ship, is the third son and ninth child of William Lair 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



289 



(see above sketch). He was born on the old homestead, 
November 25, 1838. During the late v^ar of the Re- 
bellion our subject enlisted, August 12, 1862, in 
Company K, Sixty-ninth Ind. V. I., which v?as sent 
at once to the front; and, on the 13th of the same 
month, was engaged in the battle of Richmond, Ky. , 
where he was taken prisoner. Two days later 
(during which time he was without food) he was 
paroled and returned home. He was exchanged the 
following December, and again took his place in the 
ranks at Memphis, Tenn. His regiment then moved 
to Vicksburg, thence to Arkansas Post, where it as- 
sisted in the battle fought there, and returning, par- 
ticipated in the siege of Vicksbiu'g; then took part in 
the fight at Jackson, Miss. ; thence went to Texas, w£a 
New Orleans, where it joined Gen. Banks' expedition 
that proceeded up the Red River to Brownsville, La. 
From that point a running fight was made back to the 
banks of the Mississippi River, and from there they 
went to Pensacola, Fla. , by water, and from that place 
proceeded on foot to Fort Blakely, carrying seven 
days' rations. (They were twenty-one days out, and 
during that time built sixty-live miles of corduroy 
road, arriving at their destination in time to take 
part in the battle, whic'n was the last of the war.) 
From there they proceeded to Selma, and thence to 
Mobile. At Arkansas Post Mr. Lair was detailed 
Wagon-master, in which capacity he served until dis- 
charged at Mobile, Ala. Upon his return to civil life 
he began work where he left off at time of his enlist- 
ment. He was married, February 15, 1866, to Sarah 
E. Zimmerman, by whom he has had seven children, 
five of whom are now living: Effie B., William J., 
Charles G., Mary E. and Rudolph A. The deceased 
are: Delia and Bessie A. Mr. Lair has a farm of 
120 acres. He votes with the Republican party. 

SAMUEL LAMBERSON, farmer, Posey Town- 
ship, was born in Bracken County, Ky., April 28, 
1823, son of Thoroughgood and Christena (Thomas) 
Lamberson, who, in the fall of 1831, settled in this 
township. By his first wife Thoroughgood Lamber- 
son had five childi-en: John, Samuel, Henry (de. 
ceased) William and Thomas. Mrs. Lamberson died 
in 1849, aged fifty-five years, and Mr. Lamber- 
son married, for his second wife, Mrs. Mary Dailey. 
He died in 1873, aged nearly eighty years. Our sub- 
ject was married, in 1852, to Demaris, daughter of 
James Overturf, of Brown County, Ohio, and to them 
have been born nine children, eight of whom are 
now living: Benjamin, Anna, Christena, Laura, Jen- 
nie, Joseph, George and Cora. Jacob is deceased. 
For several years after his marriage Mr. Lamberson 
lived in this township; then went to his native coun- 
ty, and in 1859 returned and settled on his present 
farm. He owns 430 acres of fine land, upon which 



are excellent improvements. He is one of the self- 
made men of the county, having started in life with 
a capital of 62| cents, which amount, though insig- 
nificant, was the nucleus of his now splendid jirop- 
erty. 

CLAYTON LAMBERT, (deceased) late of Water- 
loo Township, was born in Warren County, Ohio, Octo- 
ber 9, 1802, son of Josiah and Lucy Lambert, the for- 
mer a native of Berkeley County, Va. , the latter of 
New Jersey. The family located at Columbia on the 
Ohio River when the State was a Territory, and sub- 
sequently removed to Warren County. The subject 
of this sketch was married in 1821, to Rhoda Lee, by 
whom he had eleven children, three of whom are now 
living : James H., H. D. L. and W. B. Lucinda, 
Josiah, Lousia, John W., Mary J., Sarah A. ,Dorenda 
and Valinda are deceased. Mrs. Lambert died Sep- 
tember 22, 1850, and Mr. Lambert was married, on 
second occasion, December 15, 1851, to Rachel 
Pearce, who died without issue. May 20, 1877. In 
1882 he came to this county, locating on his farm, 
which comprised 160 acres at his death, which his 
father entered. He died December 20, 1884, aged 
eighty two years, two months and eleven days. He was 
one of the original members of the Robinson Chapel 
Methodist Church, with which he had been connected 
over fifty years. To church work he was devoted, always 
taking an active part which he sustained with true 
Christian valor. Through life he was blessed with 
good health, and had met with success, his accumula- 
tions aggregating many thousand dollars. He was 
raised a Whig, but during the later years of his life 
voted with the Democratic party. William B., his 
youngest son and only child at home, was married 
June 9, 1870, to Mary J., daughter of William Henry, 
and by this union are two children : Nannie L. and 
Jessie H. 

WILLIAM C. LAMBERT, farmer, Harrison Town- 
ship, was born in Wayne County, Ind., March 21, 
1845; son of William and Jane (Holliday) Lambert, 
natives of Ohio, the former born May 17, 1800, the 
latter May 30, 1801. They were married May 11, 
1820, and moved to Wayne County, Ind., in 1827, 
and to this county in 1854, where William Lambert 
died November 30, 1874. Our subject acquired a 
common school education. He was married May 8, 
1873, to Miss Mary E. Lucas, who was born in Wash- 
ington County, Ind., January 15, 1844. To this 
union were born: Lewis C, Inie M., Walter R., Jessy 
T. and William B. Mr. Lambert is a quiet citizen, 
pursuing the even tenor of his way, not seeking the 
emoluments arising from office. 

ALBERT LAYSON (deceased) was born in Paris, 
Bourbon Co., Ky., March 14, 1816. He was fifteen 
years old when his parents, John and Sydney (Mauk) 



290 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Layson, moved to this county, settling in Waterloo 
Township in 1831, where they lived and died. Of 
their four children three are now living: Mary, wife 
of Daniel Burris; Catherine, wife of William Bur- 
ris; Harvey, who resides in Union County, Ind. ; Al- 
bert is deceased. Mrs. Layson died in 1854, aged 
sixty-foui' years. She was a true Christian and an 
exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal ' 
Church. John Layson died in 1861, aged seventy- 
six years. Our subject obtained a practical education 
in the common schools. He was married August 20, 
1840, to Miss A. E., daughter of James and Eliza- 
beth Perry. Five children were born to them, all 
now living: Martha J., Mary M., Perry M., Elizabeth 
E. and Russell H. Albert Layson was a worthy 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which 
he joined early in life, and which he served with 
devotion till the close of his earthly pilgrimage. He 
passed into life eternal March 23, 1880. James Per- 
ry, father of Mrs. Albert Layson, died in Ports- 
mouth, Scioto Co., Ohio, in 1829. His widow re- 
moved to Waterloo Township with her family in 
1836. She had five children: Anna E., widow of our 
subject; Corrilla J., wife of Harvey Layson; Russell 
B., who died leaving a widow, Eliza A. (Rider) Per- 
ry, and four children, viz., Leonidas H., Cortes R., 
Jaines H. and William A.; Malinda and Henry B. 
died in infancy. Mrs. Perry died in 1855, aged fifty- 
nine years. 

JOHN LEONBERGER, farmer, Posey Town- 
ship, was born in Germany, December 14, 1833, son of 
Matthias and Elizabeth (Myers) Leonberger, also 
natives of Germany, born, the former in 1801, the 
latter in 1803. They were married in their native 
country, and there lived and died, the parents of 
five children: John, Regie, Frederick, Augusta and 
Caroline. Our subject, who is the eldest of the 
family, emigrated in 1851 to New York City, 
where he remained but a few days, however, and 
thence came to Sandusky, Ohio, and there lived about 
one year; then went to Milwaukee, Wis., and from 
there to New Orleans, remaining one winter. He 
then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked op 
a steamboat on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers about 
one year; thence went to Butler County, Ohio, and 
worked on a farm. He was there married, in 1856, 
to Elizabeth Metz, by whom he had a family of four 
children: Christena, Henry, Margaret and Frank B. 
In 1866 our subject moved to this county, purchasing 
and moving on a part of the farm where he has since 
resided. He owns, at present time, 133 acres of fine 
land. He started in life a poor boy, and has achieved 
success. 

ELIZA LEWIS (widow of Jolin G. Lewis), Fair- 
view Township, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., 



July 2, 1811, daughter of Abraham and E. (Fife) 
Baker, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respect- 
ively, and who married in the latter State and came 
thence in 1823 to this county, where they remained 
the balance of their lives. Their children were: 
David, John, Harrison, Mahala, Nancy, Ellen, Daniel 
and Eliza. Our subject was united in marriage, in 
this county, August 15, 1833, with John G. Lewis, 
born in Washington County, Va., April 20, 1811, son 
of John and Caroline Lewis. After marriage, Mr. 
and Mrs. Lewis settled in Fairview Township, this 
county, where they afterward resided. Their chil- 
dren are as follows: Lovina, Caroline M., David, 
William and Daniel. In 1847 Mr. Lewis purchased 
and moved on the farm, where he died January 4, 
1872, and where his widow now resides. He was a 
good citizen, a kind neighbor, highly esteemed by all 
who knew him. He was a member of the Christian 
Church for several years. 

DANIEL LEWIS, farmer, Fairview Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., December 5, 1845; 
son of John G. and Eliza (Baker) Lewis, both born 
in 1811, the foi-mei- in Washington County, Va., the 
latter in Bourbon County, Ky. They were married 
in this county, after which they moved to Rush 
County, but subsequently returned to this county, 
where Mr. Lewis died January 4, 1872. His widow 
still survives. Their children are: Lovina, Caroline 
M., David, William and Daniel. Our subject, the 
youngest of the family, was married in this county, 
September 23, 1874, to Fannie Jeffrey, a native of 
Fayette County, Ind., born July 25, 1853, and daugh- 
ter of Ephraim and Jane Jeffrey. Mrs. Lewis died 
March 21, 1884, without issue. 

E. H. LINK, merchant, Fairview Township, was 
born in Washington County, Tenn., July 30, 1829, 
son of John and Barbara (Hansbarger) Link, the 
former born in Pennsylvania in 1777, and the latter in 
Virginia in 1780. They were married in Virginia and 
from there moved to Washington County, Tenn., 
and subsequently to Greene County, Tenn., where Mr. 
Link died in 1852 ; bis widow died in this county in 
1875. John Link had been twice married, and was 
the father of ten children: Sarah, Thomas, Ephraim, 
Margaret, Henry, Harvey, John, Peter, Emeline, and 
Emanuel H. Our subject, the youngest in the fam- 
ily, was married in Preble County, Ohio, June 7, 
1859, to Sophronia, daughter of John and Jemima 
(Shidner) Holderman, and who was born in Preble 
County, Ohio, July 5, 1835. To this xinion were 
born nine children, viz : Alma, Lewis, John, Marietta, 
Oscar, Lee, Edward, Fanny and Kate. Mr. Link, in 
1875, purchased and moved on the farm where he has 
since resided. 

MOSES LOCKHART (deceased), was one of the 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



291 



first settlers of this county ; he was born in Kentucky, 
and was the son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Ellison) 
Lockhart, who were natives of Pennsylvania. His 
parents moved to Kentucky in an early day, and there 
reared a family. In 1812 Moses Lockhart moved 
to this county and found little else than forests, wild 
animals and Indians. He entered land on which his 
only surviving daughter, Nancy, now lives, and where 
he himself resided till his death, in 1832, at the age 
of forty years. He was married in 1809, to Eliza- 
beth Reed, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of John 
Reed, who were among the first settlers of this county; 
the fruits of this marriage were twelve children: 
Thomas, Robert, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Elisha, Nancy, 
Ellison, Rawlston, John, Moses, Mary J. and Moses, 
Jr., all now deceased but Nancy and John. The 
mother died in 1876. Mr. Lockhart was a man of 
excellent character, a devoted member of the Chris- 
tian Church, and highly esteemed by all who knew 
him. He was among the first to begin the develop- 
ment of this county, and as such is entitled to a high 
place io its history. His daughter Nancy now has 
charge of the old homestead, where she has spent her 
entire life, and which will at the end probably meas- 
ure her sojomn here from the cradle to the grave. 
Her only brother, John Lockhart, resides in this town- 
ship, and they are now the sole representatives of the 
original Lockhart family in the county. 

MRS. HANNAH (CAMPBELL) LUDLOW, Har- 
rison Township, widow of Samuel B. Ludlow, was 
born in Seneca County, N. Y., November 27, 1798. 
She received a common school education; was mar- 
ried February 13, 1817, to Samuel B. Ludlow, who 
was born in the same county. May 12, 1797, and 
there received a common school education. He chopped 
wood at 37 cents per day to buy his wedding 
suit. They moved to this township in 1821. Mr. 
Ludlow had walked from New York to Indiana in 
1819, and selected land for his future home, but it 
not being in the market, he walked back to New York, 
returning in 1821, when he sent to Brookville and pur- 
chased the land where he lived until 1857, when he re- 
moved to the farm where he died. When he arrived at 
his future home he had only 25 cents with which he pur- 
chased a bushel of corn, and this, by means of a horse 
he borrowed, he took to the mill. Such was the begin- 
ning of the life-work of this good man. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Ludlow were born twelve children: William, Francis 
H. (died February 26, 1848), Harriet, Jane, Hampton, 
Wealthy, Nancy, John, Annie, Emily, James and 
George G. Mr. Ludlow died July 30, 1879, leaving 
a widow and a large family of children to mourn his 
loss. 

JAMES LUDLOW, farmer, Harrison Township, 
is a native of Harrison Township, Fayette County, 



Ind. He was united in marriage January 7, 1875, 
with Miss Lucy E. Wymore, a native of Kentucky. 
He was for three years a member of Company H 
Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ind. V. I., and for two years of 
his term of service was unable to talk. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Chickamauga (where he was 
slightly wounded). Stone River and many others. 
Since his return home Mr. Ludlow has regained his 
speech, but his health has been only partially restored. 
He is a member of the G. A. R. ; a quiet, peaceable 
citizen. 

OTHO McCARTY, farmer, Columbia Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., August 4, 1819, 
son of Owen and Alice (Rice) McCarty, natives of Ire- 
land, the former born in County Limerick in 1757, 
latter in County Tyrone in 1782. Owen McCarty, 
about the year 1804, immigrated to Newfoundland, 
where he engaged in fishing until 1806, when he came 
to the United States, settling near Hagerstown, Md., 
where, in 1814, he married Alice Rice. After their 
marriage oiu- subject's parents settled at Hagerstown, 
where they remained until 1S19, and they then moved 
to Fayette County, Ind., remaining for a short time 
at first in Jennings Township, afterward settling in 
Columbia Township, where they resided until their 
death. In 1828 Owen McCarty paid a visit to 
Hagerstown, and was there taken sick. He died in 
November of that year. His widow died in this 
county in December, 1871. Their children were as 
follows: William, John (deceased), Catherine and 
Otho, next to the eldest. Our subject was married in 
this county in 1842, to' Nancy, daughter of William 
and Lucinda (Ginn) Jones, and settled on a farm in 
Columbia Township, which he had previously pur- 
chased and lived on. In 1849 he moved on his fath- 
er's old farm, where his wife died, July 9, 1848. 
Their family numbered three children: Louisa (de- 
ceased), Susan (deceased) and John W. Our subject 
was again married February 5, 1856, on this occa- 
sion to Bridget E. , daughter of Thomas and Mary 
(Greene) Kane, and born in County Clare, Ireland, 
January 6, 1831, of which county both her parents 
were natives; the father born in 1796, the mother in 
1812. They were married in 1830, and immigrated 
to Fayette County, Ind., in 1854, where he died in 
1868. His widow is now living in Columbia Town- 
ship, this county. Their childi-en were: Bridget E., 
John, Mary, Catherine, Ellen, Andrew, Ellen D., 
Henry F., Ann, Margaret and one deceased in infancy. 
To the union of our subject with Bridget E. Kane 
were born the following children: Mary E., Alice C, 
William E. , Louisa A. (deceased), Ann A. and Joseph O. 
Mr. McCarty and family are well respected by all 
who know them, and are looked upon as energetic 
and well-to-do farmers. They are members of the 



292 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Catholic Church. He owns 366 acres of excellent 
land, well improved, and deals to some extent in live 
stock. In politics he is a Democrat. 

JOHN W. McCARTY, farmer, Columbia Town- 
ship, is a son of Otho and Nancy McCarty, and was 
born in this county, November 11, 1845. He was 
first married at Connersville, October 15, 1869, to 
Ellen, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Greene) Kane, 
and to this union was born one daughter — Nancy U. 
Mr. McCarty died April 14, 1873, and our subject 
then married, in Liberty, Ind., April 28, 1875, Joan- 
nah, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Curn) Breen. 
To this union were born four children: Mary E., 
Nora T., Clara L. and Daniel L. After his first 
marriage Mr. McCarty settled on one of his father's 
farms, and in the fall of 1873 he purchased his pres- 
ent farm, to which he moved the following spring, 
and here he has since remained. He owns 160 
acres of land. He and his family are members of the 
Roman Catholic Church. 

E. D. McCONNELL, farmer, Fairview Township, 
was born in Brown County, Ohio, February 19, 1802. 
His parents, Thomas and Marj' (Downing) McConnell, 
were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respect- 
ively. Thomas McConnell was a son of Arthur 
McConnell, a native of Ireland, who there married 
Elizabeth Wilson, and who, previous to the Revolu- 
tionary war, emigrated to the United States, settling 
in western Pennsylvania, whore he remained until 
death. He was the father of nine children: Sarah, 
Susan, Mai'garet, Mary, George, Arthur, James, John 
and Thomas. The father of our subject was born in 
Pennsylvania, November 4, 1772, and when a young 
man moved to Mason County, Ky., where he and Mary 
Downing were united in wedlock. She was born in 
Pennsylvania, October 7, 1779, and was one of four- 
teen children born to John and Susan (Ellis) Down- 
ing. Some time after their marriage our subject's par- 
ents moved to Brown County, Ohio, where the father 
entered land, and remained until death. The mother 
died November 5, 1832, and the father subsequently 
married Elizabeth Downing, a sister of his first wife, 
and who is still living. Thomas McConnell died 
April 26, 1865. He was a Captain in the war of 
1812; was the father of thirteen children: John, 
Susanna, Ellis D., James W., Nathan B., Thomas 
E., Elizabeth, Rachel, Mary, Amos, Milford, Nancy, 
and one unnamed (deceased). Our subject, the third 
child in the family, was married in Brown County, 
Ohio, August 21, 1823, to Nancy, daughter of James 
and Hannah (Allforet) Hodkins, born near Lexing- 
ton, Fayette County, Ky., Septembers, 1803, and by 
this union twelve children were born: Oliver P., 
James W., Thomas M., Jesse H., Julia A., Nathan, 
Indiana, Mary Ann, Susan, John P., William H., 



and an infant unnamed. After their marriage our 
subject and wife settled in Brown County, Ohio, and 
in 1825 moved to Fayette County, Ind., settling on 
the farm where he now lives. Mrs. E. D. McConnell 
died May 30, 1882. Our subject has always taken an 
active interest in religious matters, having been iden- 
tified with the Christian Church for forty years. In 
polities he is a Republican. He cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for Henry Clay, voting the Whig ticket 
without change until the organization of the Repub- 
lican party, since when he has ever been an uncom- 
promising and zealous supporter of Republican 
principles. He started in life a poor boy, but by 
industry, close application to business, and a judicious 
use of his time, he has accomplished at least one of 
the great objects of life, having secured a good home 
and living in the full enjoyment of every comfort. 

JAMES W. McCONNELL, farmer, Fairview Town- 
ship, son of Thomas and Mary (Downing) McConnell, 
was born in Brown County, Ohio, January 19, 1804, 
and was there married March 9, 1826, to Martha, 
daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (St. Clair) Burton, 
and born in Columbiana County, Ohio, May 17, 1804. 
After their marriage they settled in Brown County, 
Ohio, and in 1828 moved to Fayette County, Ind., 
settling on the farm where they have since resided. 
Their children are as follows: Amanda M., Mary, 
Elizabeth, America, Jefferson O., Martha, James M., 
Nancy. Mr. McConnell has for years been an active 
member of the Christian Church; in politics he is a 
Republican. He is one of the few pioneers left to 
recite to us the tale of privations of pioneer life in 
the by-gone days of nearly three-quarters of a cen- 
tury. 

ROBERT McCRORY, farmer, Fairview Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., November 6, 1841, 
oneof the twelve children of William and Melissa(Iles) 
McCrory, natives of Ireland and Kentucky respec- 
tively. William McCrory was a son of John Mc- 
Crory, a native of Ireland, where the latter married 
Lillie Aken, and in 1812 emigrated with his wife to 
the United States, remaining first in Pennsylvania, 
whence in 1819 they moved to Fayette County, Ind., 
where they resided until their death. The mother 
died October 23, 1843, the father July 30, 1868. They 
were parents of five children: Robert, Samuel, Mar- 
garet, Jane and William. The father of our subject 
was born in Ireland in 1804, and was brought to this 
country by his parents when about eight years of age. 
He also came with them to this county in 1819, and 
was here united in marriage with Melissa Isles, after- 
ward settling on a farm in Connersville Township, 
where he died in 1875. His widow is now living on 
the same farm. Their children were as follows: Lil- 
lie, Samuel, Robert, Hester, John, Sarah, Margaret, 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



293 



Perry, Mary, America, Martha and Salina. Robert, 
our subjeut, was married in this county, October 28, 
1873, to Catherine E., daughter of Robert and Salina 
M. (Saxon) McCrory, natives of Ireland and Georgia 
respectively. In 1879 they settled on the farm where 
they have since resided. Id August, 1864, Mr. Mc- 
Crory enlisted and served three months. 

WILLIAM McGRAW (deceased), late of Water- 
loo Township, was born in Franklin County, Penn., 
October 8, 1787. His parents moved to near George- 
town, Ky. , when he was three months old, and lived 
there ten years; then removed to Clermont County, 
Ohio, where the parents died. Our subject then 
went to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, where he lived 
till 1811, then came to Fayette County, Ind. (at that 
time a Territory), and here he stayed a short time, 
but the Indians being hostile, he returned to Ohio. 
After serving in the war of 1812 he came back and 
purchased land in Fayette County. Here he married 
Martha Higgins, and lived many years. His wife 
died in the township, August 30, 1858, aged fifty- 
nine years, two months, after which he moved to 
Hancock County, Ind., where he died May 0, 1871, 
aged eighty- three years, six months and eighteen 
days. Both were members of the Methodist Church. 
They were parents of eleven children, six of whom are 
now living: Rachel, Margaret, Martha, John, Robert, 
and Francis, Robert being the only one of the family 
now living in this county. The deceased are: James 
A., Hannah, William, Nancy and Mary. Robert Mc- 
Graw was born on the old homestead in 1838. He 
was married to Sarah Ann, daughter of Jacob Troxell, 
and lived in Fayette County ten years, after which he 
located in Howard County, Ind., where he lived six 
years, and then returned to Waterloo Township. He 
has had eight children, seven of whom are now liv- 
ing: Charley, Edwin, Alvah, Joseph, Jacob O. , John^ 
Robert E. William is deceased. 

SAMUEL McKEE, farmer. Orange Township, 
was born in Brown County, Ohio, July 2, 1818. His 
parents, John and Anna (Piatt) McKee, were natives 
of Kentucky and Pennsylvania respectively, and of 
Scotch-Irish descent. John McKee was born in Ken- 
tucky, June 14, 1789, and his wife, Ann McKee, was 
born in Pennsylvania, October 28, 1781. They were 
married in Kentucky, February 14, 1809. In 1817 
they moved from Kentucky, settling in Brown Coun- 
ty, Ohio, but becoming dissatisfied they, with their 
family, consisting of five children, viz. : David, Mary 
A., Henry P., John and Samuel (our subject), moved 
to Indiana in 1821, settling in Rush County. After 
removing from Ohio, Robert and James were born, 
making seven children in all. They lived continuously 
on one farm for forty-three years. The mother died 
December 10, 1862, aged eighty- one years; the father 



died September 4, 1864, aged seventy-five years. 
Samuel McKee came to Rush County in 1821. There 
ho was married in 1840 to Charlotte Stewart, who 
bore him one child — Mary A. — and died in 1842. Our 
subject subsequently married Fanny, daughter of 
Joseph and Martha Puntenney, by whom he had three 
children, viz.: Joseph, Fanny S., and one that died 
in infancy. After his first marriage Mr. McKee set- 
tled in Vienna, now Glen wood, where he resided un- 
til 1858. In 1866 he removed to the farm where he 
has since resided. He and his wife are members of 
the Reformed Presbyterian Church. 

DANIEL McKONN, farmer, Jackson Township, 
is a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, March 19, 
1840. His parents, Daniel and Mary (Donely) Mc- 
Konn, were also born in Scotland, and came to America 
in 1826, locating in Philadelphia, where they died. 
Our subject received a limited education, and after 
the death of his parents came to Indiana in 1870. 
He has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and 
his farm consists of 160 acres on Section 18. He 
was married May 28, 1882, to Mrs. Emma Doben- 
hyer, a native of Harrison, Ohio, born December 29, 
1851, and who had at the time of her marriage with 
our subject seven children: Lottie, Paul, Nellie, 
Charles, William, Harry and Pearl. To Mr. and 
Mrs. McKonn has been born one daughter — Bessie. 
Our subject is an industrious, quiet citizen, and a 
good neighbor, his religion being based upon the 
principle of doing unto others as he would they should 
do unto him. 

ALFRED MANLOVE, farmer, Posey Township, 
was born on the old homestead in the year 1840, and 
is a son of Jesse Manlove, said to be the second white 
child born in Posey Township (April 3, 1815). Jesse 
was a son of William Manlove, a native of one of the 
Carolinas, who settled in this township in 1812, where 
he lived all his days. Five children were born to 
him: Jesse, Absalom, William, Cynthia and Phoebe. 
Mrs. Manlove, after her husband's death, married 
James McConkey, by whom she had three children: 
Eli, Thomas and Sophronia. Jesse Manlove was 
twice married. His second wife, Lana A., daughter 
of Boswell Colvin, was the mother of his children, 
eleven in number: F. M., Alfred, Levi, Jane, Will- 
iam A., Lydia A., John H., Absalom, Prudence E., 
Jesse and Sarah C. Jesse Manlove died March 20, 
1880, his widow October 25, 1881. He was a self- 
made man, making but 50 cents per day when he be- 
gan life. He was a member of the Baptist Church. 
The subject of this sketch was married to Hettie R. 
Rea, who has borne him two children: Osman R. and 
Cora L. He is at present Trustee of Posey Town- 
ship. 

MRS. MARGARET MARSHALL, Connersville 

le 



294 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Township, is perhaps the oldest person of her sex now 
living; in the county, having been born in Hunting- 
don County, Penn., May 24, 1795. Her parents, 
Hugh and Margaret (Buchanan) Morrison, were na- 
tives of Ireland and Maryland respectively. They 
resided several years in Maryland and Pennsylvania, 
and came from the latter State to Brookville,Ind., about 
1809, moving to this county about five years later, but 
returning to Brookville in about eighteen months 
thereafter. In 1820 Mr. Morrison died, and his widow 
then took up her residence with her daughter in this 
county, where she died in 1833. Mrs. Marshall spent 
the first twenty-one years of her life with her parents. 
She was married, March 27, 1817, to James F. Mar- 
shall, who was born in Washington County, Va., 
March 27, 1785. He came to this State in 1814, and 
located in this township, where ho resided until his 
death in 1852. He was always a farmer, very indus- 
trious, and did much to develop this then unbroken 
forest. He was a man of strong constitution, firm 
convictions, and an unswerving Democrat in politics. 
He first purchased 400 acres of land, and subsequently 
dealt quite extensively in real estate. After her 
marriage Mrs. Marshall moved at once to this local- 
ity, and about two years later to the farm on which 
she has resided up to the present time, a period of 
nearly sixty-five years. She is the mother of ten chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living, viz. : Kobert, 
Andrew, Esther, James D., William and Sarah J. 
The deceased are Sarah J., Isabel, Hugh and 
Joseph. The last-mentioned was a Captain in the 
Regular Army, and died at Fort Rice, Dak. T. , Sep- 
tember 15, 1867. Mrs. Marshall is one of the few 
who are still left to see the seat of their early toil 
and trials teeming with the fruits of improved indus- 
try and civilization. The Indians, whom she was ac- 
customed to see in large numbers, have gone to seek 
homes in the forests of the West, and their old hunt- 
ing grounds are transformed into fields of waving 
grain. Mrs. Marshall is a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church. She is well preserved in body and 
mind, and her memory will be ever kindly cherished 
by all who know her. 

JAMES D. MARSHALL, Connersville Township, 
son of James F. and Margaret Marshall, was born in 
1830, on the farm where he now resides. He here 
grew to manhood, and in 1876 was married to Fran- 
ces Rohe, a native of Fayette County, and daughter of 
Andrew Rohe. She died childless in April, 1882. 
Mr. Marshall and his sister, Sarah J., are now taking 
care of their mother, who depends upon them for 
support, and Mr. Marshall has charge of the undivid- 
ed estate of eighty-two acres, on which he conducts a 
general and very successful farming business. 

GEORGE MARTIN, farmer, Connersville Town- 



ship, is another of the substantial farmers of Fayette 
County who have carved homes from the hard rocks of 
circumstance. He was born in Franklin County, 
Ind. , in 1817, and is a son of George Martin, Sr., 
who came from Soilth Carolina in 1808. His mother, 
Mrs. Jane (^Smith) Martin, was a native of Old Vir- 
ginia. Our subject grew to fourteen years of age in 
his native county. He then moved with his parents 
to this county, where they resided twenty-eight years, 
and then moved to Wabash County, where the mother 
died about 1867, the father in 1871. At the age of 
twenty-two Mr. Martin began operations on his own 
resources. He was married, in 1839, to Elizabeth 
Hamilton, who was born and reared in this county, 
daughter of George Hamilton, one of the first settlers 
of this locality. After his marriage he rented land 
one year and then purchased eighty acres of his 
father. About ten years later he sold out and moved 
to Wabash County, where he purchased 320 acres, 
which he sold six months afterward. In March, 
1851, he piirchased his present farm of 168 acres, on 
which he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Martin 
have six children living: Rebecca A. (now Mrs. 
Springer), Nancy J. (now Mrs. Scott), Francis M. , 
George M., Mary A. (now Mrs. Sharp) and Charles M. 
The deceased are: Oliver, Silas M. , Helen C. and 
Elizabeth. Mi-. Martin has always devoted his atten- 
tion to farming and stock raising, and by industry 
and economy has obtained a handsome competency, 
although having lost heavily by securities for friends. 
He is a Republican of the old Whig persuasion, and 
is held in high esteem as a citizen. 

GEORGE M. MARTIN, Connersville Township, 
one of the enterprising young farmers of this 
county, was born in Connersville Township, this 
county, March 4, 1853. He is a son of George 
Martin, whose sketch appears above, and with 
whom our subject spent his early days on the 
farm in this township, receiving his education 
in the district schools. After his twentieth year 
Mr. Martin began operations on the "Iron High- 
way ' ' as brakeman, and was subsequently pro- 
moted to conductor of a supply train, continuing 
in this occupation three years. He was married, 
October 5, 1877, to Ida M. Frybarger, who was born 
on the farm where they now reside July 12, 1856. 
Her parents were Martin and Mahala (Wilson) Fry- 
barger, natives of Connersville and Franklin Coun- 
ties respectively. Her father was born August 22, 
1826, her mother December 10, 1827, and they were 
married May 9, 1849. They had three children : 
Wm. Watt, born September 6, 1851, died April 9, 
1882; Eva G., born January 29, 1854, died June 10, 
1875, and Ida M. Mr. Frybarger died May 20, 
1860, and Mrs. Frybarger married H. L. Weth- 



PAYETTE COUNTY. 



295 



erald, July 17, 1883. Mrs. Martin's father was a 
merchant, and did quite an extensive business, his 
father being a banker of considerable influence. Mr. 
and Mrs. Martin have two children: Mary Lelia and 
Eva Gracie, the former born July 22, 1878, the latter 
September 26, 1880. After his marriage Mr. Martin 
moved to the farm on which he resides, a part of 
which he purchased and a part inherited by Mrs. 
Martin. Here he has since been successfully engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. He is a progressive 
farmer and highly esteemed as a citizen. 

HON. MINOR MEEKER (deceased), late of Har- 
rison Township. This prominent pioneer settler and 
citizen of distinction was a native of Orange County, 
N. Y. , born July 5, 1 795, and at the age of two years 
was left in the world without parents. When ten 
years old he went to Seneca County, same State; in 
his eighteenth year he was drafted into the United 
States' service, and in the fall of 1813 shouldered his 
gun and marched to Niagara under the command of 
Col. Swift, an officer who had served in the Revolu- 
tionary war. Young Meeker was honorably dis- 
charged after three months' service, when he went to 
Steuben County, and there learned the tanning bus- 
iness, with Allen Boardman. After completing his 
trade he was for a period engaged as pilot on boats 
in the lumber trade between Elmira, N. Y., and Har- 
risburg, Penn., the distance being 150 miles, which 
he walked on return trips, and at one time made the 
journey in three days. In 1819, in company with 
Elder Minor Thomas and others, Mr. Meeker started 
for the West, going by way of Olean on the Allegany 
River, thence by flat-boat, to a point some five miles 
above Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained until 
July, when they made their way to Fayette County, 
Ind., and here Mr. Meeker located permanently. Our 
subject acted as pilot on the voyage, which was of 
nine days' length. On his arrival in Connersville he 
engaged in the tanning business for a time for a Mr. 
Rees. January 15, 1820, he was married to Rachel, 
daughter of Elder Minor Thomas, and born in Tomp- 
kins County, N. Y., April 21, 1799. To this mar- 
riage were born in this county, Marcella and Ches- 
ter C, the former October 28, 1823, the latter July 
27, 1828. After his marriage Mr. Meeker for a time 
resided on the farm with his father-in-law; subse- 
quently he purchased eighty acres of land on Will- 
.iams Creek, in Harrison Township, on which he 
reared a cabin home, and where he lived the rest of 
his days. He died May 10, 18G5; his widow died March 
1, 1881. Besides being occupied as a farmer, Mr. 
Meeker operated a tan-yard on his place for a time, 
and with it conducted a boot and shoe business. For 
many years he was engaged extensively in the pork 
trade, in connection with several large firms operating 



in that line in Connersville. He was for a time one of 
the directors of the old Canal Company, and always took 
an active part in all the early public improvements of 
the county. He was elected to and served three terms 
in the State Legislature, and two terms in the Senate. 
He was never defeated for ofiice. He was a member 
of the Second Baptist Church, Williams Creek. Ches- 
ter C, son of our subject, is an affable and courteous 
gentleman, one of the substantial citizens of the county. 
His first wife was Susan A. Budd, whom he man-ied 
in 1851; she died in 1852. In 1856 he next married 
Ann J. Johnson, and to this union have been born six 
children. 

JAMES M. MILNER, farmer, Connersville 
Township, is a native of this county, still residing on 
the farm where he was born January 10, 1830. His 
parents, John and Nancy (Miranda) Milner, were 
married in 1806 and came to this locality when it was 
yet a wilderness, inhabited only by savages and wild 
beasts. There were eleven children in the family, all 
of whom grew to maturity, five now living: William; 
Jemima, wife of Matthew Harlan; Malinda, vpife of 
Achilles Backhouse; Nancy, wife of Samuel Back- 
house, and James M., who is the youngest of the 
family. The father purchased 328 acres of land, and 
died on the farm now owned by his son James M , 
March 22, 1856; his widow survived till February 6, 
1873. James M. Milner resided here with his parents 
till twenty-one years of age. He was married April 
14, 1850, to Melissa A. Stoops, daughter of Robert 
Stoops, of Franklin County, and six children were 
born to this union: Martha, Nancy, George, Mary, 
Charles and Walter. Martha and Mary are deceased. 
The mother also passed away August 8, 1882. After 
his marriage Mr. Milner continued his operations on 
the farm of which his father gave him a deed of sixty 
acres, and to which, still later, he added his mother's 
interest. He now has 114 acres of valuable land. 
He has been generally successful, but has met with 
some reverses. Our subject is a Democrat and strong 
in the faith of his party. Death has broken the fam- 
ily band, and this has forever saddened what would 
otherwise be a happy family. 

JOSEPH MINOR, farmer, Connersville Township, 
is a native of Connersville Township, this county, 
born on the farm where he now resides, July 29, 1821, 
son of Joseph Minor, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
Rebecca (Smith) Minor, a native of Kentucky. His 
parents moved to Mr. Minor's present farm as early 
as 1812, and the family has since been one of the 
thriftiest in this county. There were seven children, 
six of whom are now living: Alexander, Joseph 
Noah, Samuel, Frank J. and Rebecca. A daughter, 
Ann, is deceased. The father died in April, 1858; 
the mother on Christmas Day, 1875. Our subject 



296 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



resided on the farm with his parents till their death, 
when he inherited the homestead of 160 acres and on 
this farm he has since been engaged in dealing in 
and raising stock, and in general agriculture. He 
has done considerable shipping and has always been 
alive to every interest for the general development of 
his farm as well as the county's resources. About 
1875-77 he became a member of the firm of Smith, 
Minor & McCormick, and assisted in establishing a 
fertilizing factory, purchasing the interest of the 
other members later, and assuming full control, which 
he yet retains. In 1880, in company with Samuel 
Doll, of Centreville, Mr. Minor erected a large ice 
house on the west fork of the Whitewater River, and 
has since given some attention to the ice business. 
He was married in 1861 to Sarah Jackman, a native 
of Adams County, Ohio, and daughter of Hiram 
Jackman. Mr. and Mrs. Minor are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed 
as citizens and neighbors. 

ANDREW MOFFITT, farmer, Fairview Town- 
ship, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., Sep- 
tember 15, 1809. His parents, natives of Ireland, 
immigrated to the United States previous to the 
Revolutionary war, settling in Cumberland County, 
Penn., where the father died. The mother subse- 
quently moved, with her family, to Ohio, and in 
1822 came to Fayette County, Ind., settling on the 
farm where our subject now lives, and where she 
remained until her death. Her family was as follows: 
Thomas, Robert, Jane, John, Margaret, William and 
Andrew. Our subject, who is next to the youngest in 
the family, left Pennsylvania in 1821, and came to 
Ohio on foot; shortly afterward he walked through to 
this county, reaching here in May, 1822. He worked 
at different occupations, and when about nineteen 
years of age was employed by one of his neighbors 
at 25 cents per day, until he had $6.50 in cash. He 
then walked to Cincinnati (in company with John 
Scott and Sam McCory), where he took a steam- boat 
to Maysville, Ky., and there hired oat on a keel-boat 
belonging to Armstrong, Grant & Co., at 50 cents per 
day, working for them about nine months and saving 
$100 of his wages. He then came home and entered 
eighty acres of land in Fairview Township, at 11.25 
per acre. The following spring Mr. Moffitt went to 
Charleston, Va. , and worked six summers in the 
salt works, between the Kanawha Licks and the 
mouth of the Cumberland River. He then returned 
home, and March 30, 1830, married Miss Athaliah, 
eldest daughter of John and Nancy Rees, and who 
was born in Greene County, Penn., June 28, 1816. 
To this union were born ten children: John R. , Nancy 
J., Amanda, Alvira, Hiram, Lovica, Alice, Sardena, 
Greenberry and one that died in infancy. Mr. Mof- 



fitt, after marriage, rented a farm, raised one crop 
and in that fall moved to Connersville, Ind., and 
engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil for about 
six months. He subsequently moved on a farm 
where he resided over a year; then bought eighty 
acres of land from John Rees, where he resided about 
two years; then purchased and moved on the farm 
where he now lives. He lost his wife by death Feb- 
ruary 20, 1879. Mr. Mofiitt has been a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly forty 
years; has been identified with the interests of the 
county, filling a number of its minor oflSces. Though 
he himself received but a limited education, he has 
ever been interested in educational matters. He, like 
most of the hardy yeomen of the Western country, 
began life a poor boy, but by hard work and economy 
he has accumulated considerable estate, and is a re- 
spected citizen. He cast his first vote for Adams and 
voted with the Whig party until its dissolution, and 
since with the Republicans. 

JOHN R. MOFFITT, farmer, Fairview Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind. , August 4, 1836, 
the eldest of ten children born to Andrew and Atha- 
liah (Rees) Moffitt, whose sketch appears above. Our 
subject attended Fairview Academy, Rush County, Ind., 
where he acquired a thorough education, and after- 
ward engaged in teaching school for some time. He 
was married at Aberdeen, Brown Co., Ohio, May 28, 
1860, to Minerva, daughter of Hiram and Harriet 
(Wallace) Banister, and born in this county March 
17, 1843. To this union were born the following- 
named children: Alva P., Le Roy D., Hiram C. and 
Richard G. After marriage Mr. Moffitt settled on 
the farm where he has since resided. 

WILLIAM A. MONTGOMERY (deceased), late 
of Waterloo Township, was born in Connersville 
Township, this county, August 10, 1833, and is a son 
of William and Rebecca Montgomery. He enlisted 
in 1861 in the Twenty-first Indiana Battery, and died 
at Lexington, Ky., in January, 1862. He was mar- 
ried to Huldah, daughter of Lewis Monger, Septem- 
ber 5, 1852, and to this union four children were 
born, two now living: James R. and Frank. William 
C. and Lewis are deceased. Lewis Monger, father 
of Mrs. Montgomery, was born in Virgiaia, in 1803, 
a son of George and Frances Monger, of Virginia, 
who settled here in 1833. They had nine children: 
Lewis, Mary (wife of Jonas Fiant) and David, now 
living; and John, Daniel, Adam, Margaret, Elizabeth 
and Ann, deceased. Mr. Monger died in 1845, his 
wife in 1839. Lewis Monger married Mary A. 
Reeder, and in 1827 they settled in Waterloo Town- 
ship. Both have been members of the Christian 
Church fifty- six years. They have had eleven chil- 
dren, nine of whom are now living: George, L. K., 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



297 



ThomaB, Augusta, Huldah J., Electa E., Mary P., 
Narcissa and Sydney; Adam and Reeder R. are 
deceased. 

ANSON MOOR, farmer, Orange Township, was 
born in Franklin County, Ind., August 23, 1818; son 
of Artemus and Jane (More) Moor, natives of New 
York and Pennsylvania respectively. They were 
married in Franklin County, Ind., and in 1823 moved 
to Rush County, settling near Rushville, where she 
died. They had a family of four children: Anson, 
Chester, Mary J. and Artemus. Artemus Moor 
subsequently went to Boone County, Ind., and lived 
with his daughter until his death. Our subject was 
married in Fayette County, Ind., March 12, 1840, to 
Mary Ann, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth McNiel, 
latter born in Fayette County, Ind., November 2, 
1821. After their marriage they settled in Rush 
County, Ind., and in 1852 moved to this county, and 
settled on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Moor 
owns at present a fine farm of 210 acres, which he 
has greatly improved. He lost his wife by death, 
October 8, 1868, and was again married in this 
county, October 14, 1869, to Mrs. Lucinda Wright, 
widow of William Wright. He had born to him six 
children: Elizabeth J. (deceased), Chester E., Saman- 
tha F. (deceased), Israel C. (deceased), and Harvey 
W., by first wife, and Bertha by second wife. Mr. 
Moor was elected Township Trustee in 1878, which 
office he held four years. 

C. E. MOOR, druggist, Orange Township, was 
born in Rush County, Ind., October 26, 1843. He is 
next to the eldest of five children born to Anson and 
Mary Ann (McNiel) Moor, whose sketch appears 
above. He was married in Fayette County, January 
28, 1868, to Mary F., daughter of Spelford and 
Mary (Mason) Mount, born in Fayette County, Ind., 
February 2, 1850, and to this union was born one 
child— Luella. Mrs. Moor died May 15, 1877. After 
marriage Mr. Moor settled in Orange Township, and 
engaged in farming until 1877, when he moved to 
Fayetteville, and began the business in which he has 
since been engaged. He is an upright young man 
and does a good business. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. 

DANIEL W. MOORE, farmer and stock-dealer, 
Jackson Township, was born in Jackson Township, 
this county, January 23, 1840, son of Anderson and 
Isabelle (Gordon) Moore, natives of Indiana, the 
former born in Fayette County, November 20, 1816; 
the latter born in Franklin County, March 9, 1820, 
died November 9, 1859. They were members of the 
Methodist Church. Daniel W. was married, March 
14, 1863, to Miss Caroline Ross, who was born Octo- 
ber 18, 1839, and died September 29, 1865. He was 
married on second occasion, September 20, 1866, to 



Miss Caroline Beckett, who was born December 7, 
1844, and to them have been born five children: 
Nora B. , Joseph, Emma, Lafayette and Alice. Mr. 
Moore resides on Section 22, and possesses 332 
acres of choice land. He was Township Trustee from 
1878 to 1882; also served as Road Supervisor for 
years. He is a member of Fayette County Protection 
Society, and is a F. &. A. M. He and his estimable 
wife are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

EDMUND K. MUNGER (deceased) was born in 
Rutland County, Vt., September 13. 1790; is the third 
child of Gen. Edmund and Eunice (Kellogg) Mun- 
ger, who were born in Connecticut, the former Sep- 
tember 30, 1763, and the latter August 13, 1767. 
They were married December 5, 1785, and located 
at Washington, Conn., where they resided but a few 
years; went thence to Rutland County, Vt., where 
they remained until in the spring of 1798, when they 
came to Belpre, Washington County, Ohio. He 
purchased a tract of land in Montgomery County, 
and in the spring of 1799 he descended the Ohio 
River in a flat-boat, landing at Cincinnati, and thence 
went to his land in Montgomery County, reaching 
their final destination in May, and at once proceeded 
to the work of clearing away the forest. His first 
house consisted of some bark placed over them by the 
side of a big log, where they lived until he, with the 
aid of a few others, erected a little log hut, which in 
those days was thought to be a very fine house. He 
was a hard-working, energetic man, and became 
wealthy. Gen. Munger was of Puritan extraction. 
He being one of the first settlers of the county, well 
understood the disadvantages and inconveniences of 
pioneer life. Gen. Munger and his wife were devoted 
and exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church. 
He took an active and prominent part in matters of 
religion and in all the public interests of the com- 
munity in which he lived. He was for a time a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature. He was commissioned 
a Brigadier-General during the war of 1812-14, hav- 
ing raised a command, which he disciplined, and was 
afterward superceded by Gen. Hull, much to the dis- 
gust of the troops, who were afterward surrendered 
to the British at Detroit. Gen. Munger resided on 
his farm in Montgomery County until his death, 
which occurred April 14, 1850. He was then a stout 
man for his advanced age, and would probably have 
lasted several years longer had not his death been 
hastened by a fall from a ladder in his barn. His 
widow survived him a number of years, and died 
January 8, 1868, at the remarkable age of one hun- 
dred years and nearly five months. Twelve children 
were born to them, three now living: Reuben, Festus 
E. and Isaac N. The deceased were named: War- 



298 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



ren, Truman, Edmund K., Minerva, Elisur, Festus, 
Eunice, Sarah and Milton. Warren, the eldest, 
was born February 28, 1787, at Washington, Conn. 
He resided with his parents until 1811, when he re 
turned to his native State, where, at Litchfield, he 
attended law school. After graduating at the law 
school he returned to Ohio and began the practice 
of the law, and subsequently became Prosecuting 
Attorney for Miami County. This, with the office of 
Recorder for Montgomery County from 1813 to 1831, 
was the measure of his official appointment of a 
public character. In 1840 he quit the law practice 
and removed to his farm, where he died in 1877. He 
was twice married. His first wife died, leaving one 
child, named Louisa. He was married the second 
time, November 22, 1821, to Elizabeth Shoup, who 
bore him six children, named — Elizabeth, Sophia, 
Alice, Edmund G., Warren and Hattie. Warren 
Hunger, Jr., is at this time in the practice of law 
at Dayton, Ohio. Alice Munger was married to W. 
F. Gebhart, who at one time was proprietor of the 
foundry and a large stove and tinware house in Con- 
nersville, Fayette Co., Ind. Mr. Gebhart went from 
Connersville to Dayton, Ohio, where he died a few 
years since, and where his widow now resides. Tru- 
man, the second child of Edmund and Eunice (Kel- 
logg) Munger, was born January 19, 1789. He lived 
with his parents until he attained his majority, when 
he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel 
and Catharine (Byron) Cole. He first settled in 
Montgomery County, Ohio. In 1821, at Brookville, 
Ind., he purchased a tract of land in Section 19, in 
Posey Township, and immediately settled upon it. 
Here he resided until about 1840, when "he sold his 
farm to Temple Beeson, who immediately came to it. 
Mr. Munger went thence to the Wilson Jones farm, 
in Wayne County, where he resided but a short time, 
when he went thence to his farm near Petersburg, 
Menard County, 111., where he lived until he became 
too old and feeble to attend to the duties of the farm; 
then he sold out and removed to Mason County, 111., 
upon a farm belonging to his son-inlaw, William 
Legg, who married his only child and daughter, 
Malinda. His wife died August 20, 1863, in the 
seventy-first year of her age, after which he resided 
with his daughter until 1866, when he was married 
the second time, to Alma Maltbee, of Miami County, 
Ohio, after which he went to Prairie City 111., where 
he died May 18, ]876, in the eighty-eighth year of 
hie age. Mr. Munger and his first wife were devoted 
members of the Christian Church, and their upright 
deportment commanded the confidence and esteem of 
all. Minerva, the fourth child of Edmund and Eu- 
nice (Kellogg) Munger, was born in Vermont, No- 
vember 5, 1792, and died April 26, 1874. She mar- 



ried ex- Judge Amos Irvin, and they located upon a 
farm near Centreville, Ohio, where they reared a 
family of seven children, named — Edmund M. , Will- 
iam, Warren, Isaac N., Clarissa, Rachel and Perry 
W. Ex Judge Irvin died at Piqua, Ohio. Reuben 
Munger was born in Vermont, October 30, 1794. He 
was married to Laura Harris, of Ohio, who bore him 
several children. One son (John) died of consump- 
tion at New Orleans, La., while on a tour for the 
benefit of his health. One son, Edmund H, was for 
several years Judge of the Circuit Court for the Dis- 
trict in which Lebanon, Ohio, is situated. He is now 
located at Xenia, Ohio, and is one of the most prom- 
inent lawyers at the bar. Reuben, by his assiduity, 
perseverance and frugality, connected with the busi- 
ness of carpentering and farming, has become very 
wealthy. His wife died a few years ago, since which 
time he has lived with his son at Xenia, Ohio. 
Elisur and Festus, the sixth and seventh children of 
Gen. Edmund and Eunice (Kellogg) Munger, died in 
infancy. Eunice, their eighth child, was born in 
Montgomery County, Ohio, February 10, 1801; was 
married to W'illiam McCann, of Ohio, who, in 1820, 
at Brookville, Ind., purchased a tract of land in Sec- 
tion 18, Posey Township, Fayette County, and imme- 
diately settled upon it. He for a time, in connection 
with the industry of his farm, was engaged in the 
business of making brick. About the year 1825 he 
sold his farm to Elihu Kellogg, who immediately set- 
tled upon it. Mr. McCann went thence to Rush 
County, and settled upon thy farm upon which Horace 
Elwell now resides, located east of Raleigh, in said 
county. His wife died in 1841. He married a second 
wife and removed to Iowa, near Iowa City, where he 
died soon after. Elihu Kellogg resided upon his 
farm in Posey Township until he died. He was a 
brother of Gen. Hunger's wife. Sarah, the ninth 
child of Gen. Edmund and Eunice (Kellogg) Munger, 
was born March 15, 1803, and died September 12, 
1883. She was married to Elim Irvin, of Ohio, who 
was born November 17, 1801, and died October 1, 
1841. They first settled in Indiana upon a tract of 
land in Rush County. The south half of the town of 
Raleigh has since been laid out and built upon the 
farm where they lived and died. Elim is a brother 
to ex-Judge Amos Irvin. Festus E., being the tenth 
child of Gen. Edmund and Eunice (Kellogg) Mun- 
ger, was born April 11, 1805. He was married to 
Sarah Harris, who bore him six children. They set- 
tled near Dayton, Ohio. Their children were named 
Harris, Felix, Timothy, Lyman, Alvin and Laura. 
Three of the boys, Timothy, Lyman and Alvin, went 
into the Union Army at the commencement of the late 
civil war in 1861. One of them had an inside view 
of Libby. One survived seventeen months in Ander- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



299 



sonville and other Rebel prisons. Mr. Munger's wife 
died several years ago. He is at this time residing in 
Dayton, Ohio, with a second wife. Milton, the 
eleventh child, was born October 5, 1807, and was 
married to Miss Malinda Maltbee, of Ohio. He at 
one time lived upon a farm near Greenville; went 
thence to a farm in Miami County; thence to Piqua, 
Ohio, where he died in 1874, and where his widow 
now resides. They reared a small family of children. 
One son — William— enlisted in the Unioi} Army at 
the beginning of the late war, went out to battle but 
never returned. His parents could never learn what 
became of him, which to them was a sad and sorrow- 
ful trial. Isaac N., the twelfth child of Gen. Ed 
mund and Eunice (Kellogg) Munger, was born August 
12, 1812; was married to Elizabeth Bellville, of Ohio, 
December 8, 1834, who bore him several children. 
Mr. Munger is a very affable, kind and exemplary, 
urbane gentloman of high culture. His vocation has 
been on the farm mainly, but at times he has taught 
vocal music. He has retired to Piqua, Ohio. Ed. 
mund K. Munger, the subject of our sketch, moved 
with his parents from Vermont to Ohio when a small 
boy. He lived at his parental home until his mar- 
riage, which occurred December 17, 1812, with Miss 
Mary, daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Bryon) 
Cole, who was born in Virginia October 15, 1794, and 
came with her parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, 
at an early date. After Mr. Munger's marriage he 
settled in Montgomery County. He went into the war 
that followed, receiving a brevet appointment, but his 
services not being required he was honorably dis- 
charged. At Brookville, ia the spring of 1821, he 
bought 200 acres of land in Section 19, Posey 
Township, Fayette Co., Ind., and in October of the 
same year he settled upon it, with no timber amiss 
except that which had been cut for the purpose of 
erecting his cabin. In 1838 he built a brick dwell- 
ing near by his cabin in which he lived until his 
death, which occurred June 10, 1872. His wife died 
September 9, 1853. They had twelve children, seven 
of whom are now living: Norman, Margaret, Eliza- 
beth, Samuel, Mary, Lazarus and Edmund. The de- 
ceased are — Eunice, Truman, Martha, Louisa and one 
unnamed. Politically Mr. Munger was a Whig and 
a Republican from 1850. Temperate in his habits, 
moral, a respector of religion, but never a professor' 
kind and unassuming in manner, he had the love and 
confidence of all. Mrs. Munger was a devoted mem- 
ber of the Baptist Chitrch, and an exemplary Chris- 
tian. Eunice, daughter of Edmund K. and Mary 
(Cole) Munger, was born in Montgomery County, 
Ohio, February 24, 1814. She came to Posey Town- 
ship with her parents when a little past seven years 
of age. She was a member of the Baptist Church since 



1832, and was unmarried; died February 5, 1884. 
Norman Munger was born August 27, 1815. He 
came to the township with his parents in 1821, and 
lived with them until his marriage, which oc- 
curred March 11, 1847, with Ann T., daughter of 
Harley Benson, of Rush County, Ind., after which he 
settled upon the old William McCann farm, near 
Raleigh, in Rush County; went thence to the John 
McCarty farm in Harrison Township, Fayette County; 
thence to Wayne County, Ind., where he now resides 
upon the Harrison Shortridge farm, a part of which 
he owns. Norman is not a professor of religion, but 
his wife is a devoted member of the Baptist Church. 
Mr. Munger has been an invalid for four or five 
years. They had two children: Martha A., who died 
in infancy, and Mary Jane, who is married to George 
Kelsey, and with whom she lives in the home of her 
parents. Mr. Munger was a Whig prior to 1856, 
since which time he has been a Republican. Margaret, 
the third child of Edmund K. and Mary (Cole) 
Munger, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, 
June 12, 1817. She came to Posey Township with 
her parents, and lived with them until February 4, 
1841, when she was united in marriage with Will- 
iam Manlove, who was born in this county January 
19, 1815, and was the first white child born in Posey 
Township (see sketch of George and Iilary (Caldwell) 
Manlove). They settled in Posey Township where 
they remained permanently. He died January 24, 
1883. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Manlove 
were: Oliver, George E., John L., Emery and Mary 
L. Oliver died July 29, 1882, leaving a widow, two 
little daughters and an infant son. Mrs. Manlove 
joined the Baptist Church in 1832, and has since 
adhered to the same faith. She owns 280 acres of 
good land finely situated. Mr. Manlove was a re- 
spector but not a professor of religion. He owned, 
previous to his death, 800 acres of land. Truman, 
the fourth child of Edmund K. and Mary (Cole) 
Munger, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, 
December 14, 1818. He lived at his parental home 
until he was married, which occurred May 20, 1847, 
to Catharine L., daughter of John and Mahala Hood 
of Rush County, Ind. He settled in Henry County 
near Lewisville, sold his farm and went thence to 
Rush County, Ind., where he remained until his 
decease, which occurred January 17, 1857. He was 
a good farmer and an active, energetic business man, 
a good and kind neighbor, and was much esteemed by 
all. Elizabeth, fifth child and daughter of Edmund 
K. and Mary (Cole) Munger, was born in Montgom- 
ery County, Ohio, May 4, 1821, and was married July 
25, 1847, to Samuel S. Ewing, of Ohio. They set- 
tled in Wayne County, but ere long came to Posey 
I Township. Mr. Ewing being a carpenter, constructed 



300 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



many substantial frame buildings while in the town- 
ship. They went from this township to Madison 
County, thence to Wabash County, Ind. , where they 
live upon a farm of 160 acres of good land. Mr. 
Ewing held the office of County Surveyor of Wabash 
for a number of years. Mrs. Ewing is a member of 
the Christian Church, and was at one time considered 
an excellent vocalist. Samuel Munger was born 
March 6, 1824, and lived with his parents until he 
was of lawful age, after which he worked a part of 
the time as an employee of his brother-in-law, S. S. 
Ewing, at the carpentering business. He was married 
September 29, 1858, to Susan Case, who was born in 
Luzerne County, Penn., after which he settled in 
Mason County, 111., near Natrona, where they now live 
on a farm of 166 acres of good land. They had seven 
children, named Oella C, Edmund E. , Ida M., 
Francis C. and Florence. Deceased are — Lazarus 
W. and one unnamed Mr. Munger and his wife are 
devoted and exemplary members of the Christian 
Church, and take an active part in matters of religion 
and the Sunday-school interest. Martha Munger was 
born April 6, 1827, and lived at the old parental home 
until March 16, 1865, when she was united in mar- 
riage with M. B. Vandegrift, after which they located 
in Wabash County, Ind., where she remained until 
her death, which occurred March 6, 1880. She left 
three children: Edmund, Emma and Homer. Mary 
Munger was born April 30, 1829, and was married 
March 22, 1866, to William T. Hensley, who at that 
time was a resident of Fayette County, and who at 
one time held the office of County Commissioner. 
They first located in Connersville, this county, but 
subsequently removed to Madison County, Ind., near 
Pendleton, where they now reside. They have three 
children: Charley, Lula A. and Willie. Lazarus 
Munger was born September 11, 1831, and was mar- 
ried September 10, 1866, to Savannah, daughter of 
Linville and Elizabeth M. (Loder) Ferguson. The 
former is a native of North Carolina, and the latter of 
this county. Savannah was born February 8, 1843. 
She resided at her parental home until she was mar- 
ried, having in the interim received a common school 
and academical education. Three chi Idren have been 
born to their union: Lorena M., Warren H. and 
Helen E. Mr. Munger owns a farm of 281 acres of 
the best land in the township, under a high state of 
cultivation. He has not sought for positions in offices 
of public trust, but assessed the township in 1861 and 
1862, and has represented his party a plurality of 
times as a delegate to county, district and State con- 
ventions. He is a Republican in politics. He and 
his brother, E., have for many years been engaged in 
the business of breeding fine stock in connection with 
farming, under the firm name of L. & E. Munger, 



their herds consisting of Shorthorn cattle and Poland- 
China hogs. Edmund Munger was born September 
24, 1833, and has' resided in the township since the 
date of his birth. He is a pronounced expert as a 
judge of fine stock. He is a Republican in politics, 
and is unmarried. Louisa Munger was borii May 31, 
1836, and died June 1, 1843. She was a bright little 
gem of exceeding fair promise. 

JESSE MURPHY, Fairview Township, of the 
fii'm of Murphy & Gavin, dealers in dry goods and 
notions, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, hats 
and caps, and grain, Glenwood, Ind., was born in this 
county, November 13, 1836, son of Jesse and Char- 
lotte (Woodruff) Murphy. Jesse Murphy, Sr., was a 
son of James Murphy, a native of Kentucky, who was 
born in 1783, and in 1803 emigrated to Butler Coun- 
ty, Ohio, where he was married to Eunice Seward, 
a native of Ohio, born in 1784. They resided in 
Butler County, Ohio, until 1836, at which time they 
moved to Rush County, Ind., and there remained until 
their death ; Mr. Murphy dying in 1852, much re- 
spected by all who knew him. His widow died in 1881. 
James Murphy was a soldier in the war of 181 2, and 
was wounded at the battle of Fort Wayne. He was 
the father of eight children: Jesse, our subject's 
father, Jane, Maria, Abigail, Mary, Peter, Jackson 
and Julia. Our subject's father was born in Butler 
County, Ohio, August 6, 1804, and was there married, 
July 20, 1826, to Charlotte Woodi-uff, who was born 
in Sussex County, N. J., July 9, 1806, a daughter of 
Calvin and Mary (Mills) Woodruff. They remained 
in Butler County, Ohio, until 1832, nt which time they 
moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and about one year later 
returned to Butler County, coming from thence, in 1835, 
to this county, and, in 1858 moved to Rush County, 
where they at present reside. Their children were: 
John, James, Margaret, Samuel and Jesse, our subject, 
the youngest and the only one of these children now liv- 
ing. He was married in Rush County, Ind., Febru- 
ary 24, 1861, to Elizabeth Siders, a native of Virginia, 
born January 17, 1838. Five children have been born 
to them: Margaret F., Luella, Frank Y., Charlotte 
and William A. Mr. Murphy is one of the most ener- 
getic and wide-awake business men of Glenwood. 

JACOB MYER, farmer and stock-dealer, Jackson 
Township, is a native of Jackson Township, this 
county, born September 6, 1844. His parents, Jacob 
Myer, born in Bedford County, Penn., November 18, 
1805, and Sarah (Landis) Myer, born in Botetourt 
County, Va., May 1, 1805, were married March 15, 
1829. The mother came to Indiana in 1811, locating 
first in Union County, but subsequently moving to 
Fayette County in 1840. They were members of the 
German Baptist Church. The father died March 16, 
1883. He was highly respected by his neighbors and 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



301 



acquaintances, and always supported every good work. 
Our subject received a common school education. 
He was married November 28, 1872, to Miss Marietta 
Newland, a native of Jennings Township, this county, 
born July 19, 1849, and to this union one child — 
Eddie C— was born January 27, 1875. Mr. Myer 
lives on the farm of 278 acres on Section 27, where 
his father died and which is now owned by the heirs. 
He is a member of Fayette County Protection So- 
ciety; is an industrious citizen, and is endeavoring 
to emulate the good name of his kind and affectionate 
father. 

WILLIAM H. MYER, farmer, Jackson Township, 
was born June 11, 1847, in Jackson Township, this 
county; son of Jacob and Sarah (Landis) Myer, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania, the former born November 18, 
1805, and the latter May 1, 1805. They were mar- 
ried March 15, 1829; came to this county in 1840, 
where Mr. Myer farmed until his death, which 
occurred March 16, 1883. They were members of the 
German Baptist Church. William H., the subject 
of this sketch, was married October 12, 1871, to Miss 
Mary A. Harrell. This union has been blessed with 
five children: Freddie; Elisha; Sarah, born January 
7, 1878, died September 24, same year; Myrtie and 
Orris. Mr. Myer is a member of Ireland Grange, 
and Fayette County Protection Association. 

RICHARD NASH, farmer, Fairview Township, 
was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 
30, 1798, son of Richard and Jane (Barr) Nash, na- 
tives of Delaware and Ireland, respectively. Richard 
Nash, Sr., was born in the State of Delaware in 1754, 
and at the time of the Revolutionary war was engaged 
in carrying wheat, flour and wood to Philadelphia from 
different points. He was taken prisoner at Delaware 
Bay, and carried to the island of Bermuda, where he 
was kept for some time and afterward reprieved and 
brought back to Philadelphia as a guide. After the 
close of the war he came to Pittsburgh, wliere he and 
Jane Barr were united in marriage. 'She was a native 
of Ireland, born in 1762. After their marriage they 
settled in Westmoreland County, Penn., where they 
remained until 1804, and then moved to Mason 
County, Ky., and in 1810 to Adams County, Ohio, 
and thence, in 1831, came to this county, where they 
remained until their death. He died in July, 1837; 
his widow survived him two months. Their children 
were as follows: James, Samuel, Jane, Susan, Sarah 
and Richard, our subject (the only one of the family 
now living). He, for a number of years, in his 
younger days, was engaged in running keel and flat 
boats on the Ohio, Kentucky and other rivers. He 
was married in Adams County, Ohio, in 1821, to 
Mary, daughter of Robert and Isabelle (Russell) Has- 
tings, natives of Ireland. Shortly after his marriage. 



and, in the same year, he moved to Fayette County, 
Ind., entering and settling on the farm where he now 
lives, and has resided on principally since. He lost 
his wife by death, August 27, 1827, and in the next 
year he returned to Ohio, and resumed his old trade 
as riverman. In 1832 he was making a trip up the 
Ohio sixty-five miles above Maysville to the salt works, 
when the boat was wrecked in a storm and about half 
the crew lost, among whom was the Captain, John 
Sullivan. Shortly after this disaster he quit the 
business and returned to this county. He was again 
married, on this second occasion to Margaret Mofiitt, 
a native of Cumberland County, Penn., born in 1806. 
After this marriage he settled on his old farm again, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Nash has had born 
to him nine children: Robert and Matthew (by his 
first wife) and Jane, William G., Sarah, Isaac T., 
Eliza, John S. and Oliver L. (by his last wife). Mr. 
Nash is a most excellent pioneer citizen and is well 
respected by all who know him. He held the office 
of Justice of the Peace for several years. 

JOHN NEWLAND, farmer, Jennings Township, 
was born on the farm where he now lives, March 12, 
1819, and is a son of James Newland, who was born 
December 29, 1782, in Washington County, Penn. 
He was left an orphan. In 1794 he settled in 
Bracken County, Ky., and subsequently in Lexington, 
same State, where he learned cabinet-making, a trade 
he has followed through life. While living in Lex- 
ington he enlisted for service in the war of 1812, 
and was assigned to Capt. Robert Smith's troop, of 
the First Regiment of Kentucky, which served in Gen. 
Harrison's command on the Indiana frontier. He 
was married, January 18, 1814, in Bracken County, 
Ky., to Hannah Huff, of Kentucky birth, and whose 
parents, John and Martha Huff, were natives of Penn- 
sylvania. They subsequently settled in Union 
County, Ind., where they died. This gentleman 
belongs to the celebrated Harrod family of Kentucky, 
and is a nephew of Williarn Harrod. a Scotchman, 
who was a noted scout and frontiersman, and who 
met with a mysterious death. In 1814 James New- 
land, John Huff, Adam and Jesse Pigman came to 
what is now Jennings Township, in which the first- 
named entered 320 acres of land; the three others 
166 acres each. Mr. Newland then returned to Ken- 
tucky and in 1818 came with his family and located 
permanently on his land here. He was a prosperous 
and observing gentleman, sagacious and intelligent. 
He was one . of the Trustees of the County Library 
and a Mason of good standing, having joined the fra- 
ternity in the early history of the order in the West, 
at Cincinnati, Ohio Five children were born to him, 
viz. : Mary Ann, Martha, John, Matilda, Maria, the 
two eldest and youngest deceased. Mr. Newland 



302 



BIOGKAPHIES. 



died January 16, 1849; his widow July 29, 1849, 
aged fifty- seven years, ten months, and eleven days. 
The subject of this sketch and his sister are the only 
representatives of his father's family in the county. 
He obtained a practical education in the common 
schools, which enabled him to teach the first school 
in Alquina. He was married, April 20, 1843, to 
Maria, daughter of William and Kachel Edwards. 
To them have been born seven children, six now living: 
William E., Mary E., Lewis E., Hattie, Charles, 
James E. and Ed. He is a member of Warren Lodge, 
No. 15, F. & A. M., also of Whitewater Encampment, 
No. 139, L O. O. F.,of Connersville. His farm com- 
prises 425 acres of good land. Mr. New! and formerly 
voted with the Whigs, but recently has supported the 
Republican party on every question at issue. He 
has been successful in life, having accumulated the 
bulk of his large property by his own exertions. He 
is a gentleman well posted on the affairs of the day, 
and physically is well preserved for his age. 

DAVID NOLL, farmer, Waterloo Township, was 
bom in Lebanon County, Penn., in 1837; son of 
John and Mary (Boderf) Noll, natives of Pennsylva- 
nia, who settled in this township in 1859, living on 
rented land; former died in 1868 aged seventy years, 
and his widow is now living at the age of eighty 
years. John Noll was a member of the Lutheran 
Church; Mrs Noll holds membership with the Pres- 
byterians. They had ten children: John, Mary, 
Henry, Isaac, William, Catherine, Joseph, David, 
Eli, and one that died unnamed. The subject of 
this sketch settled in this township in 1856. He was 
married, August 17, 1865, to Rebecca Simmons. 
Daniel Simmons, father of Mrs. Noll, was born in 
Lebanon County, Penn, in 1809, and was there mar- 
ried to Mary Basore. In 1835 they settled on the 
farm where David Noll now lives. He was success- 
ful and accumulated a nice property. He was a 
hard-working, industrious and respected citizen. He 
and his wife held membership in the Lutheran Church 
and were consistent Christian people. They had 
three children, only one now living — Rebecca, now 
Mrs. Noll. Mr. Simmons died in 1855. Mrs. Sim- 
mons was born in 1809 and died in 1877. John and 
Catherine Basore, parents of Mrs. Daniel Simmons, 
were natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in this 
township about 1830, where they lived and died. 
John was a successful farmer. They had six children: 
Daniel, John, Catherine, Mary, Rebecca and Mary N. 
Mr. Basore died in 1856, aged upward of sixty years. 
His widow died in 1869, aged seventy-one years. 
Both were members of the Lutheran Church. Our 
subject is owner of ninety-six acres of good land. 

JAMES M. OCHILTREE, farmer, Connersville 
Township, is a direct descendant of the ancient 



"House of Ochiltree," of Scotland. In March, 1564, 
John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, married the 
daughter of Lord Ochiltree, one of the ancestors of this 
family. The progenitors of the family emigrated some 
time in the seventeenth century to escape, it is said, 
the Protestant persecutions, and located in Virginia. 
From the latter State the five brothers of the family 
(of whom our subject's father was one) moved to dif- 
ferent points and established families of their own, 
except David, who still resides in Virginia. Henry 
is a resident of Iowa; Thomas of Missouri. James, 
the father of our subject, moved with his family to 
Ohio in 1824 or 1825, and to this State in 1840, 
locating in Henry County, where he died in 1841; 
the fifth cannot be located. Our subject's father was 
born and reared to maturity in Rockbridge County, 
Va., and his mother, Catharine Paxton, grew to wom- 
anhood in the same county. There were nine chil- 
dren in the family, and these, one by one, set up for 
themselves. Oar subject's father was a millwright 
by trade, but had been chiefly engaged in farming. 
In 1848 the mother and children moved to Glenwood, 
Rush County, and in 1869 took up their abode in this 
county. James M., our subject, was born in Preble 
County, Ohio, in 1836. For several years he worked 
by the month, and provided for his mother till her 
death in 1855. In 1860 he married Jane McCrory, 
who was born in this county in 1843, a daughter of 
Robert and Celina (Sexton) McCrory. Her parents 
settled on what is now Mr. Ochiltree's farm in 1821, 
and on the evening of their arrival made their beds 
on the ground in the open air lor want of shelter, 
first being compelled to remove quite a heavy coating 
of snow. After his marriage Mr. Ochiltree rented 
land for a few years and then purchased 124 acres, 
sioce adding 106 more. His farm is provided with 
an excellent stone quarry which he is operating quite 
extensively and successfully. In politics he is a 
stanch Republican, voting with that party on all 
questions of national interest. He has seven children 
living: William, Thaddeus, Robert, Calvin, James, 
Celina C. and Jennie. An infant daughter, China, 
is deceased. 

MRS. LURANAH OSBORN, Jennings Township, 
is the eldest and the only survivor of twelve children 
born to Adam and Mary (Eli) Pigman, early pioneers 
of what are now Union and Fayette Counties, Ind., 
and whose lives, early struggles and privations are 
fully detailed in the history proper of Jennings Town- 
ship in this work, to which the reader is referred. 
Our subject was born in Jennings Township, this 
county and State, September 4, 1816. She was 
married April 14, 1853, to Benjamin Osborn. After 
marriage she and her husband moved to Union County, 
this State, locating on the farm upon which Mrs, 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



303 



Osborn now resides. Mr. Osborn was a native of 
Kentucky, born August 20, 1809, a son of Thomas 
and Mary (Johnson) Osborn, the former of whom was 
a native of South Carolina. From thence he settled 
in Kentucky; later removed to Indiana and located in 
Franklin County, where both he and his wife died, 
having lived in the faith of the Old School Baptist 
Church. The husband of our subject was a respected 
citizen, highly esteemed by his neighbors and the 
community at large. His death occurred June 5, 
1884, after having been an invalid for seven years. 

MARION OVERHISER, proprietor of saw mill, 
Fairview Township, was born in Hancock County, 
Ind., July 21, 1843. His parents, George and Eliz- 
abeth (Storms) Overhiser, were natives of New York 
State and of German descent, the former born in 
Steuben County in 1804, the latter in 1807. They 
were married in Steuben County, N. Y., where they 
remained some time; from there they came to this 
county and subsequently moved to Hancock County, 
Ind., and later to Blackford County, Ind., where Mrs. 
Overhiser died in 1860. Mr. Overhiser survived her 
two years. Their children were: Belinda, John P., 
Mary, Elvira, Martha, Henry S., Lonson, Ann H., 
Charles, William B., Sarah E., Keturah and Marion. 
In February, 1862, our subject enlisted in the Seven- 
teenth Indiana Battery, and served until March 31, 
1864, when he was discharged. In April of the same 
year he re-enlisted and served as a veteran in the 
same compan'y until the termination of the war, par- 
ticipating in all the battles in which his regiment 
engaged; he was discharged July 8, 1865. He then 
went to Blackford County, Ind., and in 1866 to 
Raleigh, Rush County, same State, where he worked 
at the carpenter's trade. He was married in Rush 
County, February 22, 1875, to Sarah M. , daughter of 
Jacob and Magdalena Duttweiler, born at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, June 1, 1853. Two children were the result of 
this union: Howard B. and Lolie M. After mar- 
riage Mr. Overhiser settled where he has since 
resided. In 1879 he began his present occupation, 
in which he has since engaged. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F., and is a F. & A. M. 

CYNTHIA A. PARRISH, widow of Ezekiel Par- 
rish, Fairview Township, was born in Campbell 
County, Ky., September 8, 1818, daughter of Isaac 
and Elizabeth (Tibbets) Murray, natives of Maine, 
where they were married, and from whence they 
moved to Campbell County, Ky., where Mr. Muiray 
died in 1822. In 1828 his widow, with her family, 
moved to Rush County, Ind., where she was married 
to a Mr. Parrish (the father of our subject's husband), 
and moved with him to Fayette County, Ind., where 
she died in 1868; he died in 1859. Mrs. Parrish was 
mother of seven children by her first husband, viz. ; 



Thomas, Selvina, George, Benjamin, Samuel, Susan 
and Cynthia A. Our subject was married, in this 
county, January 18, 1835, to Ezekiel Parrish, born in 
Ohio, November 22, 1818, and to this union were born 
— Elizabeth and John T. (latter deceased). After mar- 
riage Mr. and Mrs. Parrish settled on the farm where 
he died November 29, 1882, and his widow now lives. 
Mr. Parrish was a good man, a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. 

WILLIS PEARCE, farmer, Columbia Township, 
is an energetic and wide-awake farmer and stock- 
dealer of Fayette County. IJe was born in Schuyler 
County, N. Y., October 22, 1843, son of James and 
Catherine (Brown) Pearce, also natives of New York, 
the former born in Schuyler County, April 25, 1800, 
and the latter in Tompkins County, December 1, 1807. 
They were married in Schuyler County, August 19, 
1830, and in 1861 moved to Fayette County, Ind., of 
which they are now residents. They had a family of 
eight childi-en: Gideon B. (deceased), Daniel I., 
Susan, Mary E. (deceased), Caroline (deceased), 
Buritt, James D. and Willis. Our subject, who is 
next to the youngest in the family, came with his par- 
ents to this county in 1861, and on August 28, same year, 
enlisted in Co. H, 36th Regt. I. V. I., serving until 
September 21, 1864, and participating in all the bat- 
tles and skirmishes in which his regiment took part. 
After his discharge he returned home. He was united 
in marriage, August 22, 1867, with Celestia Johnson, 
born in Schoharie County, N. Y. , July 13, 1849, 
daughter of Cornelius and Jane (Robinson) Johnson. 
To this union six children were born: Ines, George, 
Maud, Guy W., Clifford and Maggie. After mar- 
riage Mr. Pearce settled on his farm, where he has 
since resided. He owns 200 acres of land, well 
improved and under a high state of cultivation. 

JOHN Z. PERIN, one of the best carpenters and 
joiners in the vicinity of Columbia Township, is a 
native of this county, born March 25, 1840, son of 
Ezra and Jane (Utter) Perin, natives of the same 
county. Ezra was a son of John Perin, a native of 
Massachusetts, born December 18, 1774, and married 
in his native State to Hepsibah Williams, by whom he 
had three children: Philena, Hiram and one that 
died in infancy. This wife dying in 1803, he sub- 
sequently married Rachel Rice, and in 1815 moved to 
Fayette County, Ind., and later to Scott County, Iowa, 
where he died in 1866. By his last wife he had 
twelve children: Dasha, Moses, Aaron, Hannah, 
Julia, Noble, Isaac, Franklin, Mary, Samuel, Martha 
and Ezra, the father of our subject. He was born 
April 30, 1818, and was united in marriage in this 
county with Jane Utter, who was born July 26, 1820. 
Their family consisted of: John Z., Emily D., Laura, 
Benjamin F-, Samuel E., Susan R., Lucinda J., 



304 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Charles E., and three deceased in infancy. After 
their marriage they settled in Columbia Township, 
but in 1844 moved to Iowa, and in the following year 
returned to this county. After this they made sev- 
eral moves, but. finally settled in Franklin County in 
1870, where Mrs. Perin died July 14, 1879, and where 
Mr. Perin now resides. Our subject completed an 
apprenticeship with his father, commencing when 
thirteen years old to learn the carpenter's trade, which 
he has for most part followed since. He was married, 
in this county, September 16, 1868, to Elizabeth A. 
Martin, born in this county January 13, 1846, daugh- 
ter of Stephen H. and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Martin. 
They have six children: James A., Edwin E., John 
H., Frederick Z., Gracie and Earl. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Perin settled in this township; in 1869 he 
moved to Franklin County, and in 1872 returned to 
the locality in this county where he has since resided. 
He has tilled the office of County Surveyor since 1880. 

ORAN PERKINS, farmer, Columbia Township, 
is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born December 
25, 1845, the eldest of ten children born to William 
and Mary A. (Klum) Perkins, of this township: 
Oran, Milton R. , Amanda, Luella C, Narcissa C, 
Jennie B., George, Jacob E., Mary K., Gracie E. 
Our subject was married in this county. May 3, 1868, 
to Agnes E. Blake, who was born in this county June 
11, 1847. To this union were born ten children: 
Lizzie E., Mary R., Harry L., Lewis E., Edna K., 
William R., Fred B., Jennie B., Frank, and one that 
died in infancy. After marriage Mr. Perkins settled 
in this township, where he has since resided. In 
1870 he moved on his present farm, comprising 107 
acres of land. 

LEONARD PETRO, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship. This worthy pioneer was born in Warren 
County, Ohio, September 29, 1812, son of Michael 
and Ivah (Sutton) Petro, former born on the south 
branch of the Potomac River, in Virginia, in 1790) 
latter born in Pennsylvania in 1792. Michael Petro 
moved to Ohio when a youth, was married there, and 
in 1816 came to this county and located in Jennings 
Township. Here he purchased land and spent the 
chief portion of the remainder of his life in diligent 
labor. Mrs. Petro died here in 1852 and Mr. Petro 
subsequently married a Mrs. Funk and moved to 
Attica, Ind., where he closed his earthly career in 
1869. Leonard Petro, the subject of this sketch, 
remained on the farm with his father until grown to 
manhood. At the age of nineteen he began opera- 
tions as a hired laborer for his father, with whom he 
was engaged about three years, receiving eighty 
acres of land in Randolph County, Ind., in payment 
for his services. He continued farming and adding 
to his original purchase until he owned 450 acres. 



This he divided, for the most part, among his chil- 
dren, and afterward purchased 243 acres in Conners- 
ville Township. He moved to this county, purchased 
a home in East Connersville, and retired from active 
duty to take the rest which should follow so many 
years of toil. Mr. Petro was married in 1831 to 
Sarah Lemon, a native of Kentucky, in which State 
she spent her girlhood. Her life closed in 1879 
leaving eight children: Ivy J., EdmondM., Margaret 
D., Eliza E., Michael C, Benjamin H. H. , Anchor 
and Nancy. The deceased are: Mary E., Michael C. 
and George W. In 1881 Mr. Petro married Matilda 
Walker, widow of William Walker, and with whom 
he is quietly spending the declining years of his life. 
He is a man of liberal heart and mind; is one of the 
honored pioneers of the county, and is held in high 
esteem by all who know him. 

JONATHAN P. PETRO, farmer, Connersville 
Township, son of Michael Petro, was born in War- 
ren County, Ohio, in 1815. He came to this county 
with his parents when but one year old, and has ever 
since resided here. He passed his early years on the 
farm, having but the limited advantages of the com- 
mon schools. At the age of twenty-four years he 
married Elizabeth Dungan, after which he rented 
land for eight years. He then purchased twenty-two 
acres and to this he has gradually made additions, 
as his means would allow, till he now owns 144 acres 
of valuable land. He has three children: Absalom, 
Hiram R. and Mary E., now the wife of Peter Fiant. 
Mr. Petro has always been an industrious farmer, 
and now in his late years finds himself rewarded with 
a comfortable home, and surrounded by many friends. 
He is a representative of one of the oldest families in 
the county; a careful agriculturist; his farm was one 
of the early Indian resorts of this locality. 

JOHN PETRO, farmer, Jennings Township. The 
parents of John Petro were Michael and Ivah (Sut- 
ton) Petro, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania re- 
spectively. The former was born on the south branch 
of the Potomac River, July 4, 1790. In early youth 
he moved to Ohio, settling in Warren County, where, 
July 4, 1811, his marriage with Miss Sutton occurred. 
In 1816 they removed to what is now Jennings Town- 
ship, first living for a period within two miles of the 
present farm of their son John; thence removed to that 
farm. Mrs. Petro died on the latter farm, April 9, 
1852, and Mr. Petro subsequently moved to Fountain 
County, Ind., and there died, November 20, 1869. 
Mr. Petro was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our sub- 
ject was born on the farm on which he now resides, 
Aprils, 1821. His educational advantages were only 
such as were afforded in the district schools. He was 
reared on the farm and has ever since followed agricult- 
ural pursuits. March 8, 1849, he was united in mar- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



305 



riage with Mary J. , daughter of John Spivey. She 
■was born in Hamilton, Ohio, March 25, 1828, and to 
them have been born: William H. (deceased), Ivah, 
James M., Hannah, David S. and John E. John 
Spivey was a native of Virginia, and his wife, Han- 
nah (Prazie) Spivey, of New Jersey. They removed 
to Butler County, Ohio, prior to 1828, and in 1839 
came to Indiana. 

TRAIN PIKE, farmer, Columbia Township, one 
of the prosperous young men of Fayette County, was 
born March 15, 1856, his parents being Levi and 
Mary A. (Newhouse) Pike. The former was born in 
Adams County, Ohio, Januaiy 21, 1818, one of the 
three children born to William and Susanna Pike; 
the latter was born in this county July 27, 1827, one 
of the five children of William and Sarah Newhouse. 
They were married in this county July 8, 1854, and 
afterward settled in Columbia Township, where Mr. 
Pike died, July 10, 1882. His widow resides in Con- 
nersville. Their children were Train, William, Avy, 
Amanda S. and Emery. Our subject was married in 
Franklin County, Ind., December 24, 1879, to Elsie 
J. Bryson, a native of Franklin County, by whom he 
has had two children: Ethel M. and one that died in 
infancy. Soon after marriage Mr. Pike settled in 
Columbia Township, where he has since resided. He 
owns 280 acres of land. 

JOSIAH PIPER, farmer, Fairview Township. 
This venerable pioneer of Fayette County is a native 
of Bourbon County, Ky., where he was born on Feb- 
ruary 8, 1802, son of William and Agnes (McDow- 
ell) Piper, who were descended from Irish and Welsh 
ancestry. They were married in Bourbon County, Ky., 
where they passed their lives together, and to them 
were born nine children, as follows: John, Betsy, 
Nancy, Israel, James, Samuel, Jane, William and 
Josiah, our subject, who, in point of age, was next 
to the eldest. Josiah's boyhood was passed amid the 
scenes of frontier life. He remembers making fre- 
quent trips in early life driving hogs from Paris, Ky., 
to Milledgeville, Ga. , receiving for his services $8.00 
per month. Many a cord of wood did he then cut for 
25 cents per cord. He also frequently visited the 
Cherokee Nations, driving thither hogs, and he re- 
calls that for one of these journeys he received 130, 
with which he purchased a colt, the first horse he ever 
owned, and the distance walked for that colt was 
1,000 miles. His marriage with Margaret Champ, 
who was also a native of Bourbon County, Ky., born 
May 3, 1802, occurred in that county July 15, 1824, 
and to this union were born Harvey M. and Susan J. 
(wife of Daniel Forsher). In October, 1825, Mr. Pi- 
per immigrated to Fayette County, Ind., locating in 
Harrison (now Fairview) Township, arriving October 
21, same month, and they unloaded their goods by 



the side of a log in the thick woods, there remaining 
for several weeks until they had cleared a spot and 
built a small cabin within half a mile of where they 
now live, and here our subject and wife shared the 
joys and trials of life together until her death, which 
occurred August 19, 1882. Mr. Piper started in life 
a poor boy. but by his industrious habits and excel- 
lent management has accumulated a fortune seldom 
earned and saved by man, he being among the wealth- 
iest men of Fayette County, his possessions amounting 
probably to upward of 1 100, 000 ; and we remark that on 
his locating in this county he possessed only sufficient 
means to purchase eighty acres of land. He has been 
identified with the Christian Church for nearly half 
a century, and has ever taken a deep interest in re- 
ligious work. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
Henry Clay, and with the Whig party voted until the 
organization of the Republican party, with which he 
has since affiliated. To the eighty acres of land above 
referred to, acres upon acres have been added, until 
he now looks out upon some 800 acres, all in a body, 
of as good land as there is in the county. He helped 
to build the canal and railroad, and now owns four- 
teen shares in the railroad. He is a gentleman well 
preserved for one of eighty two years of age, and dur- 
ing that long period has never been confined to a bed 
of sickness a single day. His mind remains intact, 
and although four score and two years rest upon him, 
he moves with alacrity, and recites scenes and inci- 
dents of the past with clearness and precision. 

HARVEY M. PIPER, son of Josiah Piper, whose 
sketch appears above, was born in Bourbon County, 
Ky., May 26, 1825, being but a babe at the time of 
his parents' immigration to this county. January 22, 
1 852, he was married to Lucinda, a daughter of John 
and Elizabeth Thrasher, and to them have been born 
two children — Q. H and Josiah E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Piper are members of the Christian Church. 

SAMUEL PIPER, farmer and Township Trustee, 
Jackson Township, is a native of that township, born 
September 8, 1839. His father, David Piper, was 
born in Virginia, March 10, 1811, and his mother, 
Catharine (Bash) Piper, was born in Indiana, March 
1, 1816. They were married April 5, 1831. They 
were both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Chui-ch. David Piper died November 30, 1866. The 
subject of this sketch received a common school edu- 
cation. He was united in marriage, December 19, 
1871, with Miss Sophia Taylor, who was born in 
1848, and to them has been given one child — Gilbert 
C. Mr. Piper's farm consists of 172 acres of land, 
Section 28. He was elected Township Trustee in 
April, 1884. He and his worthy wife are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

ZENOS POWELL (deceased), late of Harrison 



306 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Township. The subject of this sketch was born 
in Nicholas County, Ky. , October 12, 1805, emi- 
grated with his parents to Fayette County, Ind., in 
1825, and settled on a farm in Harrison Township, 
which farm he was instrumental in putting under 
good improvement and making it a pleasant home 
while he lived. He was married, December 23, 1834, 
to Lydia Caldwell, daughter of Joseph and Miriam 
Caldwell, of Fayette County, to which marriage were 
born nine children: Lewis F., Mary J., Emiline, 
Charity, Eliza, Melinda, James, Margret and Sarah 
K., three of whom are now deceased: Emiline, Eliza 
and James. His death occurred September 17, 1883. 
His widow and two daughters live at the old home- 
stead. Lewis F. Powell, his son, lives on and culti- 
vates the farm. In connection with farming, he has 
operated a saw-mill at intervals each year for the last 
fourteen years; also a steam thrasher for a number of 
years. He was married, November 21, 1866, to 
Sarah A. Rea, daughter of Col. James C. Eea, who 
has borne him two children: Claudia and Mary L. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

COL. JAMES C. REA (deceased), late of Harri- 
son Township, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Coulter) 
Rea, of Irish extraction, was born in Rockbridge 
County, Va., June 16, 1789, died September 25, 
1876, aged eighty-seven years, three months and nine 
days. Col. Rea served his country in the war of 
1812, being a member of Capt. John Dickson's Com- 
pany of Virginia Militia. In 1816 and 1818 he was 
appointed Ensign and Lieutenant respectively in the 
Thirteenth Brigade, Eighth Regiment, Virginia 
Militia. In 1818, in company with his brother 
Daniel, he emigrated to Fayette County, Ind., and 
located in Harrison Township on the farm where he 
lived and died. He was an honored and useful citi- 
zen, highly esteemed by every one for his excellent 
qualities. On April 20, 1823, he was united in mar- 
riage with Mary Stockdale, born in Pennsylvania, 
April 21, 1805, daughter of John and Mary (Han- 
shaw) Stockdale, and to their marriage were born 
Elizabeth M., Hetty J., Rheuamy, John, Robert, 
James C, Joseph B., Nancy H., Sarah A., India B., 
all whom are now living except Joseph B., who died 
in 1865. In 1825 our subject was commissioned by 
Gov. William Hendricks a Captain, and in 1826 by 
Gov. James B. Ray Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Eleventh Regiment Indiana State Militia. In June, 
1833, he was appointed by the Board of County 
Commissioners Tax Collector of the County, and was 
first chosen Justice of the Peace in 1834, which office 
he was honored with for a period of twenty-three 
years. In March, 1851, he was ajjpointed by the 
County Commissioners Appraiser of real estate for 
the Townships of Waterloo, Harrison and Posey. 



Col. Eea was a man of firm and resolute character; 
in politics was a sterling Democrat. Both himself 
and wife were faithful members of the Presbyterian 
Church, and took much interest in religious matters. 
The Colonel was a successful farmer, a believer in 
education, giviag his children good advantages in 
that respect, and fitting them all for the school room 
(nine of them became successful teachers). His 
wife's death occurred November 10, 1846. James C. 
Rea, one of his sons, now resides at the old homestead, 
and is one of the substantial farmers and citizens of 
the county. From 1858 to 1867 at intervals he was 
engaged in school teaching. In 1882 he was chosen 
a Justice of the Peace without opposition. He is a 
member of the L O. O. F. 

C. A. REED, blacksmith. Orange Township, was 
born in Campbell County Ky. , September 7, 1844, 
son of John W. and Hannah (Moor) Reed, the former 
of whom was born in Philadelphia, December 15, 
1813, and the latter in Pittsbiu-gh, May 30, 1811. 
They were married in Philadelphia, August 25, 1836, 
where they remained but a short time, removing to 
Campbell County, Ky., and in 1868 to Fayette County, 
Ind., where Mr. Reed now lives. His wife died July 
8, 1880. Their children were Georgiana, John W., 
Benjamin, Sarah J., Charles A., Thomas S., William 
A., James M. and George W. C. A. Reed, our sub. 
ject, learned the blacksmith's trade with his father 
while in Kentucky, and has since been engaged in 
this occupation. During the war of the Rebellion 
he enlisted at Foster, Ky., September 7, 1864, in 
Company K, Fifty-fourth K. V. I., and served as a 
private until September 7, 1865, when he was dis- 
charged, and then returned to Pendleton, Ky. There 
he remained until 1866, when he came to Glenwood, 
Ind., where he engaged in blacksmithing about one 
year; thence came to Fayetteville, Ind., where he 
resumed his trade and has since remained. He was 
married in Rush County, Ind., May 5, 1870, to Eliza 
J. Williams, born in that county February 13, 1851, 
daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Will- 
iams, and to this union one child — John B. — was born 
March 5, 1872. 

JUSTICE REES, farmer, Fairview Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., March 23, 1824, 
son of John and Nancy (Jarrat) Eees, natives of 
Greene County, Penn. John Rees was a son of John 
Eees, Sr., who, in 1819, immigrated to Fayette County, 
Ind., where he resided until his death. He was the 
father of four children: John, Hiram, Stephen and 
Eachel. Our subject's father was born in Greene 
County, Penn., in 1794, and was there married to 
Nancy Jarrat in 1815. In 1819 they moved to this 
county, and in 1821 entered a farm, now in Fairview 
Townshii!, on which they settled and remained all 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



307 



their days. She died January 17, 1870; he died 
December 1, 1871. Their children were Lorenzo 
M., Hiram M., Athailia M., Desire, Justice, John, 
Minerva and Henry C. Justice, our subject, was 
married in Rush County, Ind. , February 26, 1846, 
to Phebe A., daughter of John and Mary (Hudson) 
Long, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respect- 
ively, born in Union County, lud., August 3, 1825, 
and their family numbers eight children: Mary M., 
Hiram E., Martha A., William H., Greenberry M., 
Emory J. (deceased), Albert and Anna B. After our 
subject's marriage be settled on the farm where he 
has since resided. He owns 380 acres of line land. 

HENRY C. REES, farmer and County Commis- 
sioner of the Second District, Fairview Township, is 
one of the substantial farmers of the county, born 
of well-known and highly respected pioneer parents 
of southeastern Indiana, sketches of whom will be 
found in the family history of Justice Rees, an older 
brother of our subject. Henry C. is a native of Fay- 
ette County, Ind., where his birth occurred July 11, 
1832. He was reared on a farm, receiving a good 
common school education for those times. On Feb- 
ruary 12, 1856, Mr. Rees was married to Miss Jane 
McClure, a native of the State of Ohio, and this 
union was blessed with three children: George, Exie 
and John. In 1882 Mr. Rees was honored by his 
fellow citizens of Fayette County by his election to 
the important office of Commissioner of the county, 
representing the Second District, and was again 
re-elected to the same office at the spring election 
held April 7, 1884. The duties ot this office he is 
performing with credit to himself and honor to his 
constituents. Mr. Rees is identified with the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 

GEORGE A. RICHMOND, youngest son of Jon- 
athan and Mary B. Richmond, was born in Butler 
County, Ohio, September 29, 1825. He had the bene- 
fit of a common school education. In 1846 he en- 
listed as a private in Company H, Fourth Regiment, 
Ohio Volunteers. In 1847 he was commissioned Cap- 
tain of this company, and held his commission until 
the close of the Mexican war. In 1849 he was ap- 
pointed by Commissioner John B. Weller as Assistant 
in establishing the boundary line between the United 
States and Mexico. In 1852 he located in Franklin 
County, Ind., where he engaged in selling dry goods. 
September 10, 1853, he married JeannetteC. , daugh- 
ter of Alexander R. and Charlotte Warren, of Frank- 
lin County. Of three children born one is now living 
—Kate, now Mrs. F. R. Beeson, of Wayne County. 
Mary Elizabeth died in infancy. Lottie, married to 
Mark C. Beeson, of Wayne County, died January 25, 
1875, leaving one child, George R., who is being 
reared by Mr. and Mrs. Richmond. In 1855 the fam- 



ily emigrated to Burlington, Iowa; after residing there 
two years they returned to Franklin County. In 
1864 they bought and moved on a farm in Wayne 
County. In 1881 he sold this farm and bought land 
in Fayette County, where he now resides. 

JOHN RIEBSOMER, farmer, Jennings Town- 
ship, was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., May 10, 
1835, son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Scholl) Rieb- 
somer, natives of Pennsylvania, latter a daughter of 
John Jacob Scholl, of whom mention is made else- 
where in this volume. Grandfather Anthony Rieb- 
somer was born in Europe in 1776, and immigrated 
with his parents to America at the age of thirteen 
years, landing at Philadelphia, where he was sold or 
hired to pay for his passage. He served his time out, 
then served a three years' apprenticeship to the tailor's 
trade, on completion of which he moved to Schuyl- 
kill County, Penn., where, after sojourning for a 
time, he worked as a journeyman. After hia mar- 
riage with Susanna Sterner he moved to Wayne 
Township, same county, still a poor man, and there 
purchased 100 acres, on which he lived until near the 
time of his death. To Anthony Riebsomer, Sr., and 
wife were born four sons: John, Jacob, Anthony and 
Benjamin. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; 
died at the age of eighty years and nine months. 
Anthony Riebsomer, Jr., our subject's father, was born 
in Schuylkill County, Penn., November, 1804; died 
March 11, 1875. He was a weaver by trade, and dur- 
ing the prime of his life he worked on the farm in 
the summers and at his trade during the winters. He 
came to this county in 1855, and here resided until 
his death. 

SAMUEL RIGGS (deceased), late of Jennings 
Township, was born in Maryland, July 13, 1786, and 
is a son of James and Mary (Johnson) Riggs, natives 
of Maryland. Our subject, in 1811, walked from 
Washington County, Ohio, to this State, and entered 
160 acres of land where his children now reside, and on 
which he settled in 1819, living there until his death, 
which occurred March 31, 1875. He accumulated a 
large property, consisting of land to the extent of 
221 acres in this township, and 480 acres in Howard 
County, Ind. Previous to settling here Mr. Riggs 
lived in Washington County, Ohio, where he had 
gone in an early day with his parents, who both died 
there. Our subject was married in Ohio, September 
18, 1810, to Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Mary 
Ross. They had the following-named children: Den- 
ton, John, Mary, Ruthy, Stephen, James, Andrew, 
S. H., Kinsey, Rossie, Jane and Nancy. Mrs. Riggs 
was born April 5, 1795, died June 19, 1874. She had 
been almost a life-long member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

JA]\IES S. RIGGS (deceased), late of Jennings 



308 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Township, was bora in 1821 on the oKl homestead in 
Fayette County, the sixth child and fourth son of 
Samuel Riggs (see sketch above). He was reared on 
his father's farm, and obtained a practical education 
in the district schools. He was married, January 23, 
1845, to Susan Monger, born in Ohio February 15, 
1824, daughter of John and Huldah (Davis) Monger, 
the former born in Virginia January 30, 1779; the 
latter in Ohio June 9, 1800. They wore parents 
of seven children, six of whom are now living: Jona- 
than D., Susan, Mary A., Hester, Sidney E. and/ 
Sarah F. John D. is deceased. Mr. Monger settled 
in 1826 on the farm whore Mr.s. Riggs now lives. 
He held some of the township offices, and was well 
known and respected. He died March 8, 1839. His 
widow, an excellent lady, a devout member of the 
Christian Church, died Dec. 7, 1844. After marriage 
Mr. Riggs took up life in this township, where he 
passed the remainder of his days. To him and his 
wife were burn eight children, six of whom are now 
living: Asbury, Jonathan M., Francis M., Reeder 
J., Sarah R. and Oliver O. William H. and Martha 
M. are deceased. Mr. Riggs died in 1808. He was 
a successful farmer, a highly respected citizen, and 
esteemed by all who knew him. He was an exem- 
plary member of the Christian Church, to which he 
was devotedlj' attached. His widow has been a mem- 
ber of same denomination since she was seventeen 
years of age. 

A. J. ROBERTS, Jackson Township, one of 
the wealthiest farmers and stock-dealers of this 
county, and a self-made man in every respect, was 
born near Burlington, Boone Co., Ky., February 
10, 1827. His parents were Billingsley and Nancy 
(Jewel) Roberts, natives of Kentucky, where they 
mai-ried; thence in 1828 they moved to Franklin 
County, Ind., settling near Brookville, where they 
remained until their death. Their family was as fol- 
lows: William, John, Ellen, Sarah A., Billingsley, 
Julia A., Lafayette, Andrew J., Scott and Henry. A. 
J., oiur subject, came with his parents to Franklin 
County in 1828. There he was married, Febniary 
22, 1849, to Hester A., daughter of Samuel and Mar- 
giU-et (Stevens "> Alley, natives of Virginia and Ohio 
respectively, and who were the pai'ents of ten children: 
Leonidas R., Hester A. (born in Hancock County. Ind., 
October 21, 1S29), Nancy A., James S., Mary J., Fran- 
cis A., Henry W., Lettie M., Maigarot A. and New- 
ton H. Mr. Alley had a child by a former wife that 
died in infancy. After our subject's marriage he set- 
tled at Brookville, where he had previously lived, and 
had been engaged in huckstering until 1851, at which 
time he moved on a farm near Brookville, which he 
subsequently purchased, and where he resided until 
1870, when he moved to this county, and purchased 



and settled on the old county farm, where he lives at 
present. Our subject and wife had a family of ten 
children: Harriet J. (born March 1, 1850), Elliott 
J. (born September 23, 1851, died February 17, 
1854), Wiluer H. (born July 24, 1853, died August 
15, 1859), Lee (born December 22, 1855), Anna (born 
April 7, 1858), Cora L. (born August 18, 1800), Mag- 
gie A. (born August 31, 1802), Edna W. (born June 
13, 1864). John S. (born June 21, 1867), and Pearl 
K (born August 22, 1869). Mr. Roberts owns (V29 
acres of the best of land in this county and 477 
acres in Franklin County, and about the same amount 
of money in value at interest. He started in life a 
poor boy, and has made all he now possesses through 
energetic work and economy. He had at the time of 
his marriage only about $600 to start on, and tliat he 
had earned by hai'd toil. 

C. D. ROBINSON, farmer, Orange Township, 
was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., March 9, 1837. 
His parents were William M. and Hester (Van 
Patton) Robinson, natives of New York and of Ii'ish 
and German descent, the former of whom was born 
in 1791 and the latter in 1801. They were mar- 
ried in Schoharie County, N. Y., where they re- 
mained. Mr. Robinson died in I87t); his widow still 
resides in Schoharie County. Their children were 
W'illiam M., Jane A., Aaron H, Harmon, James, 
Christopher D., Jesse S. and !Milo. C. D. Robinson, 
our subject, was married, in his native county, Jan- 
uary 12, 1802, to Mary A., daughter of Samuel and 
Mary (Morrison) Lape, and who was born in Scho- 
harie County, N. Y., Mai-ch 10, 1841. To this union 
were born four children: Sanford H., Minnie E., 
Edith M. , and one that died in infancy. In 1808 Mr. 
Robinson moved to Fayette County, Ind., settling first 
in Columbia Township, but in the spring of 1809 he 
purchased and moved on the farm where he now lives. 

ERASTUS ROBINSON, farmer and stock dealer, 
Harrison Township, is a native of this township and 
county, born April 8, 1841, son of Lewis and Mehet- 
abel Robinson, the former born in New York State, 
June 10, 1791, died May 13, 1843; the latter, a 
native of the same State, born November 21, 1800, 
died July 14, 1874. They came to this county in 
1823. Our subject was married, Febiiiary 17, 1863, 
to Miss Frances E. Smith, who wa.s born in Rush 
County, Ind., May 30, 1840. To this union were 
born Eli S., Febniary 21, 1864; Maiy E., October 10, 
1866; Lessie B.. February IS, 1869, died December 
4, 1870; Willard, December 23, 1872; Lewis, Septem- 
ber 14, 1876; Donovan, January 17, 1879. Mr. 
Robinson has resided on the old home farm all his 
life. He is lui active and energetic farmer, his warm, 
genial spirit being appreciated throughout the entire 
neighborhood. Mrs. Robinson's father, Eli Smith, 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



309 



was born in Kentucky; died in California, about 1860. 
Her mother, Minerva (McCann) Smith, was born in 
Rush County, Ind; died in August, 1843. 

EPHRAIM K. ROCKAFELLAE, merchant, Jack- 
son Township, is a native of Franklin County, Ind., 
where he was born March 24, 1842, son of Ephraim 
K. and Sarah (Quick) Kockafellar, who were born in 
Franklin County, Ind. The subject of our sketch 
had the benefit of a common school education and was 
reared on a farm. He retired from farming in 1807, 
and engaged in business at New Trenton, Franklin 
Co., Ind., where he continued until 1872, at which 
time he sold out, and removed to Dickinson County, 
Kan., where he farmed until 1877. He then returned 
to New Trenton and sold goods for C. Hull for two 
years. March 17, 1879, ho moved to Everton, and 
took part in the organization of the Fayette Co-opera- 
tive Association, with a paid-up capital of 15,000 to 
handle general merchandise. He was selected as 
Purchasing Agent and General Manager, which respon- 
sible position he has held ever since. The business 
has increased under his careful management, and they 
now occupy rooms equal to 120x20 feet and employ 
three salesmen. Mr. Kockafellar was married, Feb- 
ruary 11, 1862, to Miss Amelia A. Deike, who was 
born near New Trenton, January 9, 1842. By this 
union six children have been born: Walter D., Lula 
G., George C, Clinton E. (deceased), Mary (deceased), 
and Ella G. Mr. Kockafellar is a Notary Public; a 
member, and at present Master, of Fayette Grange, 
No. 1673. He and his wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He is an energetic, pru- 
dent business man. The present officers of their 
cooperative association are A. T. Beckett, Chair- 
man; W. E. Beckett, Secretary; J. H. Stoops, Treas- 
urer; Directors, J. H. Stoops, William Stoops, S. M. 
Stoops, C. W. Stoops and Elisha Cockef air; Auditors, 
Sylvanus Cockefair and A. R. Wildridge; Purchas- 
ing Agent and General Manager, Ephraim K. Kock- 
afellar. 

JAMES A. ROSE, farmer, Jackson Township, 
was born in Franklin County, Ind., September 7, 
1850; son of William P. and Elizabeth A. (Steele) 
Rose, the former of whom was born in Union County, 
Ind., the latter in this county, Februaiy 25, 1828, 
and died June 17, 1851. They resided upon a farm, 
where James A. received his early training and 
acquired a common school education, preparatory to 
branching out for himself in the busy struggle of life. 
He was married February 25, 1875, to Miss Minnie 
Rench, who was born in Illinois, April 30, 1855, 
daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Sims) Rench, the 
former a native of Franklin County, Ind., the latter 
of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Rose were born 
four children: Lena E., Clyde, Anna and Ralph. Mr. 



Rose owns eighty acres of tine land on Section 35. 
He is a consistent member of the Univorsalist Church; 
is a F. & A. M. ; a member of Ireland Grange, No. 1749. 

JOHN S. ROSS, Columbia Township, one of the 
oldest residents of this county now living, was born 
in Pennsylvania, September 13, 1805. He is a son 
of Thomas and Rachel (Stockhouse) Ross, natives of 
Pennsylvania, and of Irish and Quaker ancestry, 
respectively. The family, for several generations, 
was nurtured among the mountains of Pennsylvania, 
and here the subject of this sketch remained with 
his parents till his seventeenth year. He obtained 
a fair education in the subscription schools of his 
native State, and at the age above mentioned began 
an apprenticeship to learn blacksmithing, with Chris- 
topher Masters, with whom he remained about four 
years. He then established a shop of his own, but 
was compelled to abandon his vocation on account of 
failing health. After leaving the forge Mr. Ross 
began operations on the farm, and in this pursuit he 
has since been engaged. In 1827 he married Hannah 
Masters, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of 
Christopher and Mary (Curlin) Masters and by this 
union nine children were born, all now living: Mary, 
Francis, Eleanor, Christopher, Thomas, Rachel, 
Wesley, Sally and Margaret (twins). In 1834 Mr. 
Ross came with his then small family to this State, 
and settled in Franklin County, where he purchased 
a farm on which ho resided about nineteen years. In 
1853 he moved to this county to take charge of the 
farm where he now resides, and which was purchased 
by his father in 1839. Here Mr. Ross has since fol- 
lowed the fortunes of a quiet farmer's life, and here 
he is spending his declining years. His father died 
on this farm in 1877, aged nearly ninety-seven. His 
mother closed her existence in her native State in 
1838. His faithful wife, who had been his constant 
companion for lifty-seven years of toil and trial, left 
his side March 17, 1884, to join the loved ones in 
that better world. Mr. Ross is one of the stern old 
Whig Republicans, though he has never been drawn 
into the vortex of public or political life. He is com- 
fortably 8ui)plied with this world's goods, the fruits 
of honest labor, and is well preserved in body and 
mind. He is now in his eightieth year, and has 
never been confined to his bed by sickness, though he 
has suffered some afllictiou in late years. 

JOHN M. ROSS, Jennings Township, among the 
most energetic young farmers of this county, was born 
in Jennings Township, this county, on the farm where 
he now resides, Oct. 2, 1851, son of David and Elizabeth 
(Lewis) Ross, natives of Butler County, Ohio. His 
grandfather, Elijah Ross, was a native of New Jersey, 
and came to Ohio soon after the war of 1812. His ma- 
ternal grandfather, Andrew Lewis, was born in Ireland, 

17 



310 



BIOGKAPHIES. 



and brought to America when but four years old. He 
located with his parents in Pennsylvania, and from 
that State moved to Kentucky, where he lived seven 
years and then crossed over into Butler County, Ohio. 
Here he supported his family on wild game, and sold 
furs and skins to the garrison at Cincinnati to defray 
the expenses of his farm. He was fond of hunting, 
and met with many adventures while in pursuit of the 
sport. On one occasion he lost his way in the woods, 
and was nine months in returning to his home. 
David Ross was born in 1806, and grew up in Butler 
County. He married Elizabeth Lewis there in 1837 
and in 1843 moved to the farm on which our subject, 
John M., now resides, and where he died in 1871. 
His widow, who was born in 1811, is still living. 
John M. Eoss grew to manhood on the homestead 
farm, and at the age of twenty years, his father dying, 
he engaged for his own account in the pursuit of 
agriculture. He purchased the old homestead of 1 54 
acres in 1875, and here he has followed farming. 
He was married in 1871, to Nancy J. Elliott, a daugh- 
ter of Jesse P. Elliott. By this union four children 
have been born: Carrie M., Harry M., Gladdie 0. 
and Carl L. Mr. Ross is one of the most energetic 
farmers in the county. He is scrupulously honest, 
and is well respected. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and Encampment. In politics he is a Republi- 
can. 

WILLIAM ROYSDON (deceased), late of Water- 
loo Township, was born in Ash County, N. C, in 
1800, and is a son of Nathan Eoysdon, a native of 
North Carolina, and who removed to Indiana Ter- 
ritory with his family in 1808, settling on the south 
half of the southwest quarter of Section 83, Waterloo 
Township. He entered 160 acres of land, of which 
he retained the west half, where he died in 1832, 
aged sixty-five years. After this his widow removed 
with her children (except William) to La Porte 
County, Ind., and subsequently to St. Joseph County, 
Ind., where she died. Nathan Eoysdon was an 
exemplary Christian, a member of the Bajatist Church. 
He had live children, three now living: Shadrach 
resides in La Porte County, Ind. ; Mary, widow of 
William Dawson, resides in La Porte County, Ind. ; 
and Patsey, widow of George Hollingshead, St. 
Joseph County, Ind. After his parents had settled 
here William Eoysdon went to East Fork, Wayne 
County, where he learned the gunsmith's trade with 
John Hunt. Returning to Waterloo Township he 
was married, in 1830, to Harriet, daughter of George 
and Sarah Waudel, after which he settled on land in 
that township, and carried on farming and gun- 
smithing during the period of his working life. He 
was a highly respected citizen, and made life a suc- 
cess. He and his wife were Baptists in religious 



belief, and every-day Christians. They had ten chil- 
dren, four now living: Stephen and John H., in this 
county, Nathan in Iowa, and Charles in Nebraska. 
The deceased are Enoch, Rosylenn, Sarah E., Nancy, 
Margaret and George W. Mr. Eoysdon died August 
22, 1867; his widow July 11, 1883, aged seventy- 
seven years. John H. Eoysdon was born on the old 
homestead, September 3, 1838, and is the eighth 
child of the family. He obtained an ordinary prac- 
tical education. He was married, February 4, 1868, 
to Adelaide, daughter of George and Elizabeth Booe, 
and soon after settled where he now lives. Two chil- 
dren have been born to this union: Elvis P. and Myr- 
tle Lee. Mr. Eoysdon is a man of good executive 
ability, having been elected to every office in the town- 
ship, except that of Constable. He refused to qualify 
as a Justice of the Peace. He owns 116 acres of good 
land, thirty-six of which lie in Fairview Townsbip. 
He is an uncompromising Democrat, and zealously 
defends the principles of his party. 

WILLIAM EUDY, farmer, Jennings Township. 
This enterprising and successful gentleman was born 
in Lebanon County, Penn., August 9, 1838. He 
is a son of John and Lydia (Bany) Eudy (now 
deceased), natives of the above county and State, and 
who removed to Fayette County in 1880. Both were 
members of the Evangelical Methodist Episcopal 
Church. They had the following named children : 
Amanda Gise, Mary Brown, Sarah Williamson and 
William. The boyhood of our subject was passed in 
a manner common with farmers' sons. He received 
in the common schools a practical education. In 
1856 he began learning the carpenter's trade. In 
1859 he left the home of his boyhood and wended his 
way westward in quest of a location, which he found 
in the vicinity of his present home. He followed his 
trade regularly until 1863, when, or soon after this 
time, he bought a small tract of land and engaged in 
farming; he and his wife now owning a farm of 
ninety acres of well-improved land, besides three acres 
near Lyon's Station, upon which are handsome improve- 
ments. Mr. Eudy was married in 1863 to Mrs. Hes- 
ter Scholl, widow of Henry Scholl and daughter of 
John Munger. He is one of Fayette County's self- 
made men, $1.50 being his cash capital at 
the time he settled here. In 1880 he was elected 
Justice of the Peace of Jenningi Township, which 
position he resigned at the end of a year. He and 
his wife have been members of the Lutheran Church 
since 1863, taking an active interest in religion. 
Politically Mr. Eudy is a Eepublican. He is a 
worthy member of Warren Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M., 
and a member of Fayette Lodge, No. 31, I. O. O. F., 
and Whitewater Encampment, I. O. O. F. 

EOBEET SAXON, farmer, Fairview Township, 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



311 



was born in Fayette County, Ind., December 31, 
1842. His parents, Alexander G. and Margaret 
(McOrory) Saxon, were natives of North Carolina and 
Ireland respectively, the former born in 1802, the 
latter in 1809. They were married in Fayette Coun- 
ty, Ind., in September, 1827, and afterward settled 
on the farm on which oar subject now lives and where 
they remained until death. Alexander G. Saxon died 
in July, 1877; his widow in April, 1884. Their chil- 
dren were Jane, Seliua, McH,, John, Anna, Will- 
iam, Savanah, Samuel, James N. , Mary, Elizabeth 
and Robert. Our subject was married in this coun- 
ty, October 14, 1864, to Mary A., daughter of James 
Nichols, born January 19, 1842. After marriage Mr. 
Saxon settled in Fairview Township, where he has 
since resided. His first wife dying February 18, 
1871, he married, November 12, 1873, Mary, daugh- 
ter of James S. and Phebe A. (Cox) Lovejoy, born in 
Decatur County, Ind. , January 6, 1852. Mr. Saxon 
has a family of seven children, viz.: Le Roy, Edith 
A. and Mary A. by first wife, and Arthur G., Daisy, 
Phebe and Alfred by his second. 

A. J. SALYER, merchant, Columbia Township, a 
member of the firm of Salyer & Jemison, dealers in 
general merchandise, NulltowD, Ind., was born in this 
county, December 30, 1833, son of Charles and Mar- 
garet (Waters) Salyer, natives of South Carolina. 
Charles Salyer, born in Greenville County, S. C, 
September 9, 1797, was a son of John Salyer, also a 
native of South Carolina, where the latter married 
Elizabeth Scott, and in about the year 1810 moved to 
Franklin County, Ind., and thence a few years later 
to this county, where he remained until his death. 
His children were Charles, James and Margaret. 
Charles, the father of our subject, came with his par- 
ents to Franklin County, where he was married in 
1817 to Margaret, daughter of John Waters, born 
August 12, 1801. After their marriage they settled 
in Jackson Township, Fayette Co., Ind., where she 
died in December, 1861, and he subsequently went to 
Montgomery County, 111., and there married Sarah 
McKnit, remaining in that county until his decease, 
November 1, 1867. He was the father of twelve chil- 
dsen: Jesse W., Elizabeth, Ruhama, JohnB., Lucinda 
J., James M., Elizabeth A., Joseph D., Martin V., 
Lewis C, George P., and Andrew J. Our subject 
was married in this county, September 22, 1858, to 
Caroline Layton, and in 1865 moved to Macon Coun- 
ty, Mo., where the latter died July 26, 1869. She 
was the mother of six children: Ella, Charity, Charles, 
Lewis C, Emma and Ada B., all deceased except Em- 
ma. Mr. Salyer was married on second occasion, 
January, 1875, to Mary A. Hail, by whom he has 
had five children: Claude, William, Kate, Luther B- 
and Harry (first three deceased). In 1878 Mr. Salyer 



moved to Jasper County, Mo., and thence in 1879 to 
Cherokee County, Kan., and in' 1881 to this county, 
where, in partnership with Williams & Jemison, he 
opened a store. After a time Salyer and Jemison 
bought out Williams, and the firm is now Salyer & 
Jemison. Our subject is Postmaster at Null's Mills. 
JOHN JA.COB SCHOLL (deceased), late of Jen- 
nings Township, was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., 
December 30, 1773. His father was born in Germany 
and when a lad emigrated with his parents to America. 
The vessel in which they took passage was driven by 
adverse winds into the tropics, where disease and death 
overtook its human freight, and all the SchoU family 
except the father of our subject perished, and were 
buried at sea. After landing he was bound out for a 
term of years to earn the price of his passage to this 
country. He lived and died in Pennsylvania. His 
five children were Christena, Leonard, Peter, Henry 
and John Jacob. The last mentioned was married to 
Margaret Hetzell. In 1833, accompanied by his wife 
and children, he came to this township, purchasing 
100 acres of land in Section 26. He was a cooper by 
trade. With the aid of his family he accumulated 
considerable property. He died April 19, 1870, aged 
ninety-six years, three months and nineteen days, his 
wife having preceded him October 19, 1854, aged 
seventy-five years. They were both members of the 
Lutheran Church, Springerville. To them were born 
fourteen children: John, Catherine, Sarah, Elizabeth, 
Jacob, Rebecca, David, Mary, Joseph, Anna, Solo- 
mon, George, Henry, Judy. Solomon was born in 
Schuykill County, Penn., February 3, 1815. He 
obtained a limited education in the district school. 
In 1850 he married his first wife, Nancy J. Widdows, 
who bore him the following named children : Alice, 
Martha, Anna, Lizzie and Ida (deceased). Mrs. 
SchoU dying in 1867, at the age of thirty-nine years, 
he married, in 1876, Mrs. Priscilla Kensler. Mr. 
Scholl owns nearly 100 acres of well-improved land. 
He has voted with the Republican party since 1850, a 
change being brought about by his strong anti-sla- 
very and temperance views. He and his wife are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

JACOB SCHOLL, farmer, Jennings Township, 
one of the well-known and esteemed old settlers of 
the county, was born in Berks, now Schuykill, Coun- 
ty, Penn., July 28, 1804, son of John Jacob Scholl 
(see his sketch). He was brought up on the farm, 
acquiring a limited education. In early life he 
learned the cooper's trade in his father's shop, which 
occupation he followed principally during the winter 
season. He was married in Pennsylvania, January 
3, 1829, to Elizabeth Reed, who was born June 5, 
1804, and their family consisted of ten children: 
I Lidia (deceased), Daniel, Jacob (deceased), Benjamin, 



312 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Abraham (deceased), Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Jonas, 
George and Eliaa. Our subject and wife accompa- 
nied his parents to Indiana in 1833, and after resid- 
ing with his father for two years purchased the land 
on which he now lives. Mrs. Scholl died May 30, 
1880. Our subject started in life with small means 
($800), but he prospered, and at one time owned 350 
acres of good land, which he has settled on his chil- 
dren, who are well-to-do, respected citizens. Mr. 
Scholl is well preserved for his age, and has remark- 
ably good recollections of the events that transpired 
in early times. Since childhood he has been a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church, and has ever manifested 
a deep interest in the advancement of religion. 

ELIAS SCHOLL, son of Jacob Scholl, was born 
September 2, 1843. He was married, January 14, 
1864, to Sarah E., daughter of Jacob and Catherine 
Lidikay, who was born in Jefferson County, Ky., 
July 29, 1842. They have four childi-en: Rosetta 
L., Carrie May, Emory A. and Elmer L. Elias 
Scholl is a member of Brownsville Lodge, F. & A. M. 

GEORGE SCHOLL, farmer, Jennings Town- 
ship, was born in Pennsylvania, March 6, 1817, son 
of John Jacob Scholl (see his sketch). He was six- 
teen years old when his parents came to this county, 
and his advantages for acquiring an education were 
limited to the schools of his day. Mr. Scholl was 
married, February 19, 1848, to Mary Wilson, born in 
Union County, Ind., November 11, 1824, daughter of 
Samuel and Rachel (Duncan) Wilson, natives of 
Pennsylvania, and who settled in Union County in 
1820, Mr. Wilson having lived there several years 
previous to his marriage. To this couple were born 
ten children, six of whom grew to manhood and 
womanhood: Richard, Mary, Andrew, Sarah, David 
and Rachel. Mrs. Wilson died January 2, 1860, 
aged sixty-three years. Mi'. Wilson died at the resi- 
dence of George Scholl, April 20, 1871, aged eighty 
years and three months. They were members of the 
Baptist Church, of which denomination the whole 
family are also adherents. After marriage Mr. Scholl 
settled on the place where he has since lived. He 
has prospered, and is now the wealthiest man in Jen- 
nings Township, owning an estate of 200 acres of 
good land, and is living surrounded by every comfort 
heart could wish. He has an adopted daughter — 
Catherine Bien — now the wife of Joseph Davis, and 
whom he reared from infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Scholl are 
devoted members of the Baptist Church, the former 
since 1863, the latter since 1848. Politically our 
subject is a Democrat, and cast his first vote in 1840. 

JOHN SCHOLL, Jr., farmer, Waterloo Town- 
ship, was born in Sehuykill County, Penn., in the 
year 1824, son of John Scholl, Sr., and he was nine 
years old when his parents settled in this township. 



He was married, August 19, 1852, to Jane, daughter 
of Henry and Jane Holland. He and his wife have 
been members of the Lutheran Church for many 
years. He owns 140 acres of excellent land, and is 
one of the well-to-do, respected citizens of the coun- 
ty. John Scholl, Sr., was born in Sehuykill County, 
Penn., and was a son of Jacob and Mary (Hetzel) 
Scholl, natives of Pennsylvania, who were of German 
descent. John, Sr. , located in this township in 1838, 
where he died July 5, 1876, aged seventy-seven years, 
five months and fourteen days. His wife died Novem- 
ber 1, 1863, aged sixty-six years, five months and 
twelve days. Her maiden name was Polly Reed, and 
she bore Mr. Scholl seven children, four of whom are 
living: John, Jr., Sallie, David and Mary. The de- 
ceased are Henry, Leah and William. Jacob and 
Mary (Hetzel) Scholl, parents of John Scholl, Sr., 
settled in the county in 1833. He died April 19, 1870, 
aged ninety-six years, three months and nineteen 
days. His wife died October 19, 1845, aged seventy- 
five years, nine months and seven days. They were 
exemplary members of the Lutheran Church. 

JOSEPH SCUDDER (deceased), late of Jennings 
Township, was a native of Butler County, Ohio, born 
July 4, 1820, a son of Enoch and Loraine (Stevens) 
Scudder. He spent several years on the farm with 
his uncle, and after marriage was engaged in operat- 
ing a saw- mi 11 for Joseph Cully during a considera- 
ble period. He was also engaged about five years in 
the sale of herb medicines. Mr. Scudder was mar- 
ried, in 1840, to Elizabeth Cully, a daughter of 
Joseph Cully, a native of Union County, Ind., and to 
this union six children were born: William L., James 
H., Levi A., Charles G., Benjamin F. and Abraham 
L., all now living and well established in homes and 
businesses of their own. James H. and Benjamin F. 
are conducting a livery and a farm in Nebraska; 
William L. is a carriage manufacturer and implement 
dealer in North Judson, Ind. ; Levi A. is farming and 
operating a sawmill in Rush County, and Abraham 
L. is a merchant at Alqiiina, this county; Charles is 
a farmer at Knightstown, Ind. In 1861 our subject 
enlisted in Company D, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, and 
entered the service. About one year later he was 
drowned in the Ohio River by an unaccounted-for 
accident. He held the office of Orderly Sergeant, 
and was in a fair way to be promoted, and it is vague- 
ly believed that a rivalry in his company had some- 
what to do with his premature and mysterious end. 
His body was recovered and subsequently brought 
home for burial. Mr. Scudder was a man of excel- 
lent character, and his record as a defender of the 
Union is one of which his posterity may justly be 
proud. His widow is enjoying the comforts of a 
well-appointed home, and the satisfaction of seeing 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



313 



her children safely launched upon the great sea of 
business life and prosperity. 

S. D. SHEPARD, physician, Jackson Township, 
was born in Franklin County, Ind., September 15, 
1833, and being reared upon a farm he only received 
a good common school education. His father, Joseph 
Shepard, was born in Bracken County, Ky., October 
8, 1808, and moved to Franklin County, Ind., at an 
early age, where he lived until his death, which 
occurred February 8, 1857. His mother, Annis 
Bonham, was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., Feb- 
ruary 9, 1806, and moved to Dearborn County, Ind., 
December 24, 1814; from thence to Franklin County, 
where she lives at the present time. The Doctor 
began the study of medicine in 1853 under Dr. A. 
H. Thompson at Everton, Ind., and attended lectures 
at the Ohio Medical College. He located in Hunt^ 
ington County, Ind., November, 1859, and practiced 
for nearly six years; thence moved to Everton in 
February, 1865, where he has lived and followed his 
profession ever since. He was married, March 1, 
1857, to Mary J. OuUins, who was born in 1889, and 
who is deceased. To them were born five children: 
Albert T., born May 18, 1859, died February 18, 
1883; Margretta A., born August 11, 1861, died 
December 30, 1877; Joseph E., born October 12, 1863; 
Oliver P., born September 6, 1865; Jennie F., born 
September 13, 1868. The Doctor was married, on 
second occasion, April 8, 1874, to Mary E. Fish, a 
native of Franklin County, Ind., born February 28, 
1844. They have been blessed with two children: 
Earl R., born August 27, 1876, and Alma P., born 
April 17, 1878. Dr. Shepard is an Odd Fellow, also 
a non-affiliated Mason. He and his estimable wife and 
two eldest children now living are members of the 
Universalist Church, and the two deceased children 
were also members of that church. 

RAWLSTON SHIELDS (deceased), late of Con- 
nersville Township, one of the early farmers of prom- 
inence in this county, was born in Pennsylvania in 
1790; son of Robert and Nancy Shields, the former 
a native of Ireland, from which country he was 
brought to the United States when but eighteen 
months old. They were farmers, and died in Penn- 
sylvania, where Mr. Shields was reared to manhood. 
He came to this county in 1817, purchased land here 
and followed farming during the remainder of his 
life with excellent success. In 1818 he married Han- 
nah Huston, also a native of Pennsylvania, and 
daughter of William and Margaret Huston. They 
had six children: William, Robert, John, James, 
Benjamin and Margaret. The deceased are William 
and John. Mr. Shields departed this life in 1859, leav- 
ing a widow who still survives him- in her eighty - 
sixth year, the last of a family of ten children. He 



was a useful man and highly esteemed by all who 
knew him. 

LIEUT. SAMUEL J. SHIPLEY, retired farmer 
and ex naval officer, Harrison Township, was born 
in Wilmington, Del., December 24, 1813; son of Jo- 
seph B. and Mary H. (Test) Shipley, the former born 
near the Brandywine, Del., November 14, 1780, and 
the latter near Salem, N. J. They were married 
April 16, 1804. Samuel Shipley, the grandfather of 
Samuel J., and for whom the latter was named, 
was born December 5, 1755. His wife, Jane (Ben- 
nett) Shipley, was a sister of Caleb Bennett, who 
commanded a company at the battle of the Brandy- 
wine, and at one time was Governor of the State of 
Delaware. The brother and sisters of Samuel J. 
were named and born as follows: Mary A., born Feb- 
ruary 29, 1805; Charles, born August 17, 1807, and 
Eliza J., born October 15, 1811. Their ancestors 
came to America from England soon after William 
Penn colonized Pennsylvania, and were of his relig- 
ious faith. Our subject, when a school-boy near the 
Delaware Bay watching the ships going down to the 
ocean, early evinced a desire to go to sea, and in 
1833 he made application for an appointment as Mid- 
shipman, the application being indorsed by his 
friends Daniel Rench, Samuel W. Parker and others, 
and in the following year his appointment was 
received'through Gen. Jonathan McCarty, then Mem- 
ber of Congress from the Connersville District. The 
young naval aspirant was soon ordered to the brigan- 
tine "Enterprise," at Norfolk, Va., and from thence 
sailed for the Brazilian Station, South America, soon 
after reaching which he was transferred to the flag- 
ship "Erie" and remained on that station nearly 
three years, returning to the United States in the fall 
of 1837, when he was granted a leave of absence. He 
returned home and soon after purchased the farm on 
which he now resides and has ever since made his 
home when not engaged in the naval service. After 
the expiration of his furlough he was ordered to the 
receiving ship " Hudson " at New York, and not 
long thereafter was transferred to the line-of battle- 
ship " North Carolina " that was used as a school for 
apprentices. The class of 1834, to which he be- 
longed, was the first to pass an examination at the 
Naval Academy established at Philadelphia in 1889 
(subsequently changed to Annapolis, Md. ) In June, 
1840, soon after passing his examination, young 
Shipley was ordered to the West India Station and 
joined the United States ship "Warren" at Pensa- 
cola, Fla. He made a cruise with that vessel to the 
Spanish Main and the Gulf of Mexico; thence went 
to New York, where he was granted a leave of 
absence, and on his return home was united in mar- 
riage, November 14, 1841, with Martha Holton, 



314 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



daughter of Rev. Jesse and Jane Holton. On the 
expiration of his leave of absence he joined the 
United States ship "Falmouth" as Sailing Master, 
and made a cruise of over two years to the Gulf of 
Mexico and West Indies, returning home in 1844, 
when he was permitted to remain with his family 
more than one year. In 1846 his wife died at the age 
of twenty-four years, leaving a daughter — Jennie — 
who has been a great source of comfort and a stay to 
him in his declining years. Soon after the death of 
his wife Master Shipley received orders to join the 
United States ship "United States" as Sailing Master, 
bearing the broad pennant of Com. Read, ordered to 
the coast of Africa. (At that time our Government 
was bound by treaty with, Great Britain to keep up a 
force of eighty guns for the suppression of the 
slave traffic.) After taking on board a new battery of 
fifty-two guns and stores they started for the Cape 
Verd Islands via the Azores, going from Pico south, 
passing the Canary Islands, sighting the Peak of 
Teneriflfe in the distance. On their arrival at Porto 
Praya, Cape Verd Islands, their place of rendezvous, 
they took on board stores and provisions and pro- 
ceeded down the coast, visiting Sierra Leone, Cape 
Mount (a noted slave mart), stopping some time at 
Monrovia, at which place Com. Read, Master Ship- 
ley and other officers dined with President Rob- 
erts, whose hospitality they had been invited to 
share. While here they visited Mission House School 
and other public buildings. From Cape Mesurado 
they sailed for the GuJf of Guinea, anchoring off 
Cape Palmas, thence down the Ivory and Gold Coast, 
passing Cape Three Points, and anchoring at Cape 
Coast Castle, an English station sti-ongly fortified, 
and which in times past they had hard work in hold- 
ing against the war-like Ashantees. At this station 
within the enclosure of the fort is the tomb of the 
wife of Gov. Maclean, a Scotch gentleman then in 
charge of the station. She was an English poetess 
who had written over the initials L. E. L. Also here 
it was that Elisha K. Kane, the Assistant Surgeon 
and enthusiastic young friend of our subject, took his 
first lesson in navigation, and a few degrees to the 
east, in the kingdom of Dahomey, near the mouth of 
■the riyer Quorra Niger, came near losing his life from 
exposure in exploring that benighted and God-for- 
saken land. They cruised in the Bight of Benin to 
the mouth of the river Gaboon. From thence they 
sailed to Prince's Island, anchoring at West Bay (an 
island belonging to Portugal), a resort for whale 
ships, and while there the crew of the United States 
vessels witnessed the capture of a whale with her 
calf. They next sailed for their place of rendezvous, 
St. Jago, Cape Verd Islands, and en route there, 
while in the Gulf of Guinea, upon examination it 



was found that they were at a point where there was 
neither latitude nor longitude; in other words, they 
were on the meridian of Greenwich at the equator. 
On arriving at Porto Praya, Master Shipley was 
appointed to take charge temporarily of the depot of 
supplies, at which post of duty he remained several 
months. Dr. Kane, who was quite sick, remain- 
ing for a time with him. About June 1, 1847, 
Mr. Shipley returned to duty on board the ship, 
which soon afterwai'd sailed, and they made their 
third and last cruise down the coast, stopping 
several days at the mouth of the river Congo, keeping 
near the coast line, so near that they could see the 
impenetrable jungles and forests with occasional 
openings and villages. At this time the United States 
had four vessels — the flagship "United States," the 
sloops of war "Marion," "Dolphin" and "Boxen" — 
cruising along the coast, the English having about 
the same number, so that it was almost impossible 
for the slave-runners to evade their vigilance. From 
the river Congo they sailed down the coast, stopping 
at St. Paul de Loanda; from thence to Benguela in 
latitude 13 degrees south of the equator; thence to 
within a short distance of the island of St. Helena 
(noted as the place of exile of Napoleon Bonaparte); 
and then steered for the Cape Verd Islands, and on ar- 
riving at Porto Praya fell in with the brig " Dolphin," 
which had on board, with other documents from the 
Navy Department, the commission of Master Shipley 
as Lieutenant in the United States Navy. He was 
then transferred to the United States brig " Dol- 
phin." In 1861 Lieut. Shipley tendered his services 
to the United States Government and went to Fortress 
Monroe as executive officer of the " Brandy wine," 
returning home on account of sickness in 1863. 
Since retiring from the navy our subject has lived 
somewhat of a retired life on his farm in Harrison 
Township, esteemed and respected by the community 
at large. 

THOMAS R. SHIPLEY, farmer, Harrison 
Township. This highly respected citizen was 
born in Harrison Township, Fayette Co., Penn. , 
November 15, 1821. His father, Thomas Ship- 
ley, was born in Maryland, February 16, 1772; 
served in the war of 1812, and died Janaary 7, 
1846. His mother, Eleanor (Morgan) Shipley, was 
born in Virginia in 1782, and died October 3, 
1857. They came here in 1821. The paternal 
grandparents of our subject were Adam and Rachel 
Shipley, the former of whom died November 20, 
1818, the latter September 16, 1820. Thomas R. 
received a common school edncation. He was mar- 
ried, February 1, 1849, to Sarah P. Groves, born in 
Rush County, Ind., May 9, 1828, daughter of 
Donavan and Sarah (Hixx) Groves, natives of Ken- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



315 



tucky, where the former was born December 5, 1799, 
and the latter May 22, 1798; they came to Indiana 
about 1821. Donavan Groves was a son of Robert 
Groves, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
He died May 28, 1851, his wife having preceded 
hira December 19, 1829. This union has been blessed 
with seven children: John T., died June 20, 1853 
(he fell into a "kettle of hot water and only lived 
thirty hours afterward) ; Donavan, who died February 
7, 1874 (was thrown from a horse and lived but thirty 
hours); Hiram; Martha E. ; Matilda; Eunice, and 
James. Mr. Shipley has been a School Director and 
Supervisor. He is a member of the Christian Church- 

MARY A. SHORTRIDGE, widow of James 
Shortridge, Fairview Township, was born at Read- 
ing, Hamilton Co., Ohio, December 29, 1819, daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Rebecca (Young) Keaton, natives 
of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively; the 
former of whom was born in 1782, the latter in 1788. 
They were married at Philadelphia, Penn., where 
they remained for some time; thence moved to Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and subsequently to Reading, Ohio, 
and in 1820 to Connersville, Ind. Mr. Keaten sub- 
sequently entered land in Fairview Township, 
where he resided until 1854, when he moved to Mad- 
ison County, Ind., and there remained until his death, 
February 28, 1866, his wife having preceded him 
September 15, 1863. Their children were William, 
Benjamin, Thomas, James, John, Mary A., Ambrose, 
Susan and Joseph. Mary A., our subject, was united 
in marriage in this county, January 8, 1841, with 
James Shortridge, who was born in Fayette County, 
Ind., April 80, 1818, son of Samuel and Eleanor 
Shortridge. To this union were born the following 
children: Samuel, Rebecca J., Sanford, Louisa, Mary 
E., George T., and Emma B. After their marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Shortridge settled near Bentonville, 
this county; about seven years later they moved on 
the farm where he died December 26, 1872, and where 
his widow still resides. 

SAMUEL SHORTRIDGE. farmer, Harrison 
Township, was born in Posey Township, Fayette 
Co., Ind., February 26, 1842. His father, James 
Shortridge, was born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1818, 
and died December 26, 1872. His mother, Mary A. 
(Keaton) Shortridge, was born in Ohio, and is now a 
resident of Fairview Township. Samuel Shortridge 
was favored with a graded school education. He was 
married, July 28, 1870, to Miss Isabella Rea, who 
was born in this township July 8, 1845, a daughter 
of James C. and Mary A. (Stockdale) Rea. Mr. 
Shortridge taught school in 1862, 1868 and 1864. 
He was Township Assessor in 1.871 and 1872. He 
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a jovial gentleman and enjoys life. 



DANIEL SHORTRIDGE, farmer, Fairview 
Township, was born in Wayne County, Ind., April 
80, 1821, one of the eleven children of Samuel and 
Eleanor (Hulse) Shortridge, the former of whom was 
born in Kentucky in 1795; the latter in Pennsylvania 
in 1795. They were married in Kentucky and after- 
ward settled in Powell County, same State. In 1815 
they moved thence to Wayne County, Ind., and in 
1825 came to Fayette County, Ind., settling in Har- 
rison Township, where they remained until death. 
Mr. Shortridge died in 1844, his widow in 1879. 
Their family were Price, Fanny, James, Daniel, 
Elisha, George, William, Jesse, Jane, Mercy and 
Hester. Daniel, our subject, was married in this 
county, February 5, 1845, to Elizabeth King, born 
near Cincinnati, Ohio, July 19, 1823, daughter of 
Joshua and Anna (Force) King. After marriage Mr. 
Shortridge settled on the farm which he afterward 
purchased, and on which he now resides. In 1860 
he was elected Township Trustee, which office he held 
for a number of years. His family consisted of five 
children: Amanda E., Martha A., Corydon (deceased), 
Altha (deceased) and one that died in infancy. 

MAJ. THOMAS SIMPSON, retired, Waterloo 
Township, was born in Tennessee, June 20, 1800, and 
is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Mabry) Simpson, 
natives of Maryland and North Carolina, respectively, 
who located in Tennessee. In 1805 or 1806 they 
moved to Ohio, and in 1809 (see history proper of 
Jennings Township) settled in this county on the line 
between Jennings and Waterloo Townships, where 
they resided the rest of their lives. Mr. Simpson 
died in 1848, aged seventy-five years; his widow in 
1865, aged nearly ninety-two years. They had ten 
children, three of whom are now living: Elizabeth, 
Solomon and Thomas. The deceased are Tabitha, 
Joshua, Nathaniel, John, Sarah, William, Henry and 
Jesse. This pioneer couple were Chi-istians in every 
sense of the word, and members of the Regular Bap- 
tist Church. The subject of this sketch has a recol- 
lection running back three-quarters of a century in 
the history of Fayette County, a length of time prob- 
ably equaled by none now living. He was married 
August 2, 1826, to Joanna S., daughter of Joseph 
and Mary (Heaton) White. They started in life with 
no other moans than willing hands and stout hearts, 
and together they have journeyed over fifty-eight 
years. Eight children have been born to them, three 
of whom are now living: Nancy F. Thompson, Eliza- 
beth W. Cris, and Mira M. Smalley. The deceased 
are Sarah E., Mary H. , Cynthia A., Amanda M. and 
Salome. Mrs. Joanna Simpson can remember seeing 
seven generations of her relatives — her great-grand- 
mother, Mary Chinneth; her grandmother, Joanna 
Sutton; her mother, Mary Heaton; Joanna White; 



316 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Cynthia A. Simpson, her daughter; Alvetta Hurst, her 
grandchild; Melvin Crawford, her great-grandchild. 
Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are members of the Regular 
Baptist Church, with which he has been connected 
since 1816 and his wife since 1834. They have been 
devout Christians and untiring workers in the army 
of the Lord. He served as School Trustee of Water- 
loo Township, sixteen years, thirteen of which he was 
without a bond. In militia days he held an Ensign's 
commission of a troop of Shelby County volunteers. 
He also took an active interest in local militia mat- 
ters. 

B. F. SIMPSON, farmer, Waterloo Township, 
was born in Jennings Township, this county, Janu- 
ary 4, 1830, and is a son of William Simpson, who 
died in 1883, aged eighty-one years. He was mar- 
ried, August 31, 1851, to Jane, daughter of Richard 
and Susanna Strong, after which he learned the 
plasterers' trade, which, in connection with farming, 
he has followed twenty-six years. He began life a 
poor boy, but by close attention to business has 
acquired a good property, owning 145 acres of land. 
In 1884 he constructed seven ponds for the culture of 
German carp, which are well stocked. He is also 
largely engaged in the cultivation of strawberries. 
He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1880, and has 
held other offices of the township. In 1857 he 
became a member of Brownsville Lodge, No. 70, F. 
& A. M. Fifteen children have been born to him, 
and those now living are Frank, Nancy, Susan, Emma, 
Charley, John, Thomas, Alvah, Vincent G., Jose- 
phine, Rosa. The deceased are Mary, William D., 
Henry A. and Alice. Our subject's father was twice 
married, and by his first wife had seven children, 
three now living: W. J., B. F. and F. M. By his 
second wife he had seven children, six of whom are 
now living: H. C, J. T., Daniel, O. M., Jane and 
Nancy. Ellen is deceased. 

DR. R. W. SIPE, Orange Township, was born in 
Jefferson County, Ind., April 8, 1840, son of William 
I. and Mary J. (Wasson) Sipe, the former born in 
Hamilton County, Ohio, October 1, 1814, one of six 
children born to Frederick and Margaret (Ervin) 
Sipe. William I. Sipe came with his parents to 
Jefferson County, Ind., when quite young, and was 
there married to Mary J. Wasson, born in Ireland, 
Ind., January 1, 1819, and daughter of Richard and 
Mary J. Wasson. After marriage they settled in Jef- 
ferson County, where the father died August 11, 1866, 
and the mother September 11, 1867. Their family 
consisted of the following children: John A., Fred- 
erick, Thomas J. , Jane G. and Richard W. Our sub- 
ject, who is next to the eldest, was educated at Hanover 
College, in Jefferson County, Ind., and in 1862 
began the study of medicine under Dr. W. A. Mor- 



rison, of Lexington, Ind., remaining with him about 
one year. He then went to Kent, Ind., and read 
under Dr. William Copland's instructions, until the 
fall of 1864. During the winter of 1863 and 1864 
he attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College of 
Cincinnati, Ohio. In the fall of 1864 the Doctor 
came to Fayetteville, Ind., and began the practice of 
his profession, which he has since continued. He 
was married in Jefferson County, Ind., May 23, 1866, 
to Sarah A., daughter of William and Nancy (Hearn) 
Phillips, born in Jefferson County, Ind., September 
9, 1844. In the winter of 1874 and 1875 he at- 
tended the Medical College of Indiana at Indian- 
apolis, where he graduated February 26, 1875. To 
the union of our subject and wife seven children 
have been born: Mary E. (deceased), William P., 
John A. , Clara B., Frederick, Florence M. and Richard 
V. Dr. Sipe has met with the most flattering success 
during his whole practice, and is highly respected. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

DANIEL SKINNER (deceased), late of Waterloo 
Township, was born in Washington County, Penn., 
September 15, 1780, son of Walter Skinner, a native 
of Maryland, and who moved, after the Revolutionary 
war, in which he took part and was severely wounded, 
to Pennsylvania, where he lived till 1785, thence 
went to Ohio County, Va. , where he died. Our sub 
ject was married to Nancy Ricketts, a native of Mary- 
land, and in 1819 they, with their children, four in 
number, came to this county and settled where their 
son William R. now resides. Seven children were 
born to this union, five being natives of Virginia: 
Mary, Sarah, Jeremiah, William R., Rebecca, Nancy 
and Joseph; Mary and last three named are de- 
ceased. He bought 160 acres, for which he paid 
$2.75 per acre, and on this land he remained the 
balance of his life, and prospered. Mr. Skinner died 
June 26, 1870; his wife December 24, 1865, aged 
eighty years. Mr. Skinner was the first elected Jus- 
tice of the Peace of Waterloo Township, his juris- 
diction extending to Indianapolis, and the duties of 
this office he successfully discharged for over sixteen 
years. He possessed resolution to a large degree, 
was strong in his convictions of right and wrong, 
honest in his dealings, and had the respect of all. 
He was a consistent Christian, a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Chui-ch, and one of the founders 
of Methodism in the county. His devoted wife was 
a member of the same church. Our subject was of 
Democratic proclivities, and thoroughly adhered to 
the principles of the party. William R. Skinner was 
born in Ohio County, Va., August 1, 1818, grew to 
manhood on the old homestead, and in the common 
schools obtained, by diligent stud}', a practical edu- 
cation. When twenty-three years of age he began 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



317 



the study of medicine under Drs. Trimbley & Ruby, 
of Alquina, this county, with whom he remained four 
years, after which he matriculated in Miami Medical 
(now Ohio State Medical) College at Cincinnati, 
taking a full course of lectures, save one. At Hol- 
lansburg, Darke Co., Ohio, he entered on the 
practice of his profession, in which he was eminently 
successful. Failing health compelling him to yield, an 
absolute abandonment of his profession soon followed. 
He was twice married, on first occasion December 26, 
1847, to Hannah, daughter of David Wilson, and by 
this union was born one child — Roxiana. After his 
marriage he located in Johnson County, Ind., for 
seven years, when he removed to Wapello County, 
Iowa, where, July 13, 1857, his wife died at the age 
of thirty years, two months and four days. Deprived 
of his companion he returned to his father's house, 
which a second time became his home. His second 
marriage occurred March 31, 1863, the lady beidg 
Mrs. Mary Casteel, daughter of Isaac Dillon, of Iowa, 
since which time he has resided on his father's home- 
stead, he being sole owner. He is a worthy and 
acceptable member of Brownsville Lodge, No. 70, F. 
& A. M. A Democrat in politics, he cast his first 
■vote for Martin Van Buren. 

URIAH SMALLWOOD, farmer and stock-raiser, 
Jackson Township, is a native of Virginia, born in 
Loudoun County, October 20, 1828. His father, John 
Smallwood, was born in Maryland, September 15, 
1781; married, in 1812, Margaret Emison, who was 
born in County Down, Ireland, February 28, 1793. 
They came to this county November 12, 1846. Mr. 
Smallwood followed farming all his life, excepting 
when he served in the war of 1812. He died Decem- 
ber 23, 1857; his .widow October 18, 1877. They 
were both members of the Lutheran Church. The 
subject of this sketch received a limited education. 
He was united in marriage with Miss Amanda J. 
Mcllwain, and unto them were born four children: 
John W., Charles E., Henry L. and Sarah M. Mr. 
Smallwood's farm consists of ninety-two acres of land 
situated on Section 25, and by his ovm industry and 
economy he has accumulated a competency. He 
served as Road Supervisor for eight years. He is a 
member of Nulltown Grange, No. 1883, and of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

JAMES L. SMALLWOOD, farmer, Jackson 
Township, is a native of Virginia, born in Loudoun 
County, November 26, 1830, son of John and Marga- 
ret (Emison) Smallwood, former born in Maryland, 
September 15, 1781; latter born in County Down, 
Ireland, February 28, 1793. They were married in 
1812, and came to this county November 12, 1846, 
where John Smallwood farmed all his life. They 
reared nine children, five of whom are now living. 



The father died December 28, 1857, the mother Oc- 
tober 18, 1877. They were both members of the 
Lutheran Church. Our subject received an ordinary 
school education in Virginia, and completed his 
course at Valparaiso, Ind., in 1877. He began 
teaching in the fall of 1856, and continued in that 
profession for twenty-one years. He resides on a 
farm of 129 acres, located on Section 12. Mr. Small- 
wood served as Township Assessor from 1866 to 1871. 
He is a member of Everton Lodge, I. O. O. F., and 
ConnersTille Encampment. 

JAMES SMITH, farmer, Jackson Township, re- 
siding on Section 35, is a native of South Carolina, 
born in the old Pendleton District, October 17, 1803. 
His parents, Ebenezer and Margaret (Chambers) 
Smith, were born in Georgia. They came to Indiana 
in 1813, and located on Section 35, Jackson Town- 
ship, where Mr. Smith farmed until his death, June 
10, 1829; his widow died March 18, 1839. They 
raised ten children. Our subject enjoyed the ad- 
vantages of a common school education. He was 
married April 26, 1827, to Mary Belk, who was born 
in South Carolina, September 10, 1807, and unto 
them were given ten children: Samuel, born Febru- 
ary 2, 1829, died April 14, 1875; Ebenezer A., born 
September 5, 1830, died February 26, 1862, in the 
army, a member of Company H, Thirty-sixth Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Jane, born Au- 
gust 30, 1833, died November 11, 1862; Elizabeth A., 
born November 29, 1835, died January 25, 1871; 
Sarah A., born October 12, 1837, died October 12, 
1838; Emily, born November 24, 1839; Jemima, 
born January 10, 1842, died December 22, 1861; 
James E., born January 25, 1844; Mary C, born No- 
vember 17, 1846, and Sarah A., born July 19, 1850, 
died June 19, 1880. Mr. Smith is a member of 
the Universalist Church, and of Ireland Grange, No. 
1749. 

WILLIAM L. SPARKS, farmer, Connersville 
Township, a son of William Sparks, was born in this 
county in 1837. He resided chiefly with his parents 
till twenty-seven years of age, when he married Miss 
Martilla King, also a native of this county, and 
daughter of Benson and Esther (Robinson) King. 
Her parents died of typhoid fever (only seven min- 
utes difference in their deaths) while she was an in- 
fant, and both are buried in the same grave in Boone 
County, Ind. Our subject and wife have three chil- 
dren: Kate, now wife of William Hanson, son of A. 
Hanson, a prominent farmer of this county, Hattie 
and Stephen. Mr. Sparks spent his earlier years at 
home on the farm and in receiving a practical educa- 
tiou in the district schools, and after marriage pur- 
chased a farm of eighty acres in Jennings Township, 
selling the same about six months later at a hand- 



318 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



some profit. He then rented land for several years, 
in the meantime purchasing sixty-three acres, which, 
in 1877, he traded for his present property of 130 
acres, one of the most productive farms in the county. 
He has been very successful in his dealings, and by 
industry and business tact has acquired a handsome 
competence. He is a member of the Village Creek 
Regular Baptist Church. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, firm in the support of the principles of his 
party. 

IVnLTON T. SPARKS, farmer, Connersville 
Township, son of William Sparks, was born in this 
county in 1843. He grew up with his parents, who 
gave him a good common school education, and at the 
age of twenty-two began business for himself by pur- 
chasing a farm of sixty-three acres in this township, 
where he resided about seven years. He then rented 
his farm one year and embarked in mercantile trade 
in East Connersville in partnership with S. Beck, the 
firm being known as Beck & Sparks, dealers in grocer- 
ies and provisions. Their establishment was the first 
founded on the east side of the river. After about 
one year spent in this business, Mr. Sparks sold his 
interest in the store to his partner and returned to 
the farm, where he resided nearly three years. He 
then moved to the homestead, remaining there about 
three years, and in 1883 purchased his present farm, 
on which he erected a fine frame dwelling in 1884 
Mr. Sparks also owned a tract of land in Kansas, but 
he disposed of his interest in that State. He was 
married, in 1873, to Minnie Campbell, a native of 
Preble County, Ohio, and daughter of John Camp- 
bell; her parents died while she was a child. By this 
union four children were born, three now living: 
Willie E., Bessie and Milton. Walla W. is deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sparks and all their children but one 
are members of the Regular Baptist Church. He is 
a Republican in politics, and votes with that party on 
all questions of a national character. 

MRS. JANE SPIVEY, widow of Adam Spivey, 
was born in Butler County, Ohio, January 22, 1810. 
Her parents were David and Letitia (Guard) Sutton, 
natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively, 
the former born December 14, 1774, and the latter 
March 26, 1773. They were married in Pennsylvania, 
where they remained until 1807, when they moved to 
Butler County, Ohio, and in 1828 to Rush County, 
Ind., where they resided until their demise, Mr. Sut- 
ton dying in 1862, and his wife in 1830. David Sut- 
ton was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was the 
father of twelve children: Jacob, Rachel, Samuel, 
Hannah, Rebecca, Jane, Polly, Sarah, Benjamin, 
Phebe, John, and Sarah, who died in infancy. Janei 
our subject, was married, in Butler County, Ohio, 
May 25, 1826, to Adam Spivey, who was born in Penn- 



sylvania May 5, 1803, one of the twelve children of 
John and Jane (Vinage) Spivey, both natives of Penn- 
sylvania, and of German descent. They moved to But- 
ler County, Ohio, in an early day, and there remained 
until their death. Their children were as follows: 
James, Bersheba, Elizabeth, Margaret, Jane, John, 
Rebecca, Nancy, Rosanna, Emily, Lucy, and Adam, 
the husband of our subject, who was the third child, 
born May 5, 1803. After their marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. Spivey settled in Butler County, Ohio, where 
they remained until 1829, and then moved to Fayette 
County, Ind., settling in Orange Township. Here 
Mr. Spivey died November 30, 1869. He was the 
father of one child — John — born in Butler County, 
Ohio, January 11, 1828, married in Rush County, 
Ind., May 16, 1850, to Rhoda Long, born in Hamilton 
County, Ohio, December 27, 1830, and daughter of 
Daniel and Rachel (Sparks) Long. After their mar- 
riage Mr. and Mrs. Spivey settled in Orange Town- 
ship, this county, where he died July 12, 1879. To 
this union were born eight children: Luella J., 
Estella R., Daniel L., Martin V., John T., James R., 
Jessie F., and Adam V., who was bom in Fayette 
County, Ind., May 10, 1859, and was married, in Rush 
County, Ind., November 30, 1882, to Grace, daugh- 
ter of Clinton and America (Amos) Blacklidge, and 
who was born in Rush County, Ind., April 9, 1863. 

JOHN O. SPIVEY, farmer, Jennings Township, 
was born where he now resides, in this county, Sep- 
tember 3, 1839, and is a son of John B. Spivey, who 
was born in Virginia in 1802. When a child his 
parents removed to Butler County, Ohio, where his 
early life was passed upon a farm. There he was 
married to Hannah Frazee, who bore him eleven chil- 
dren, five of whom are now living: David, William, 
Anchor, John O. and Mary J. (wife of John Petro); 
George, Rebecca, Margaret, Hannah, Susan and Sam- 
uel are deceased. In 1839 Mr. Spivey moved to the 
farm in Fayette County. Ind. , now occupied by his son 
John O. He held some of the offices of the township, 
among which was that of School Trustee. He was a 
self-made man, and a successful farmer, 217 acres of 
land being the result of his labors. He died October 
26, 1879; his wife died in 1873, aged sixty-nine 
years. The subject of this sketch was united in mar- 
riage, in 1864, with Charlotta, daughter of Zachariah 
Camaway. To this union six children were born: 
Oliver, Edward, Kate, Myra, Daisy, and Mollie 
(deceased). After marriage Mr. Spivey removed to 
Effingham County, 111., where he resided for six 
years. He then returned to this county, and settled 
permanently on the old homestead. He votes with 
the Democratic party. His wife is a consistent member 
of the Baptist Church. 

J. E. SQUIRES, farmer, Waterloo Township, is 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



319 



a son of Harvey and Nancy (Skinner) Squires, the 
latter of whom was a daughter of Daniel Skinner, a 
pioneer, of whom mention is elsewhere made. Three 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Squires: J. E., 
H. N. and Nancy E. Mr. Squires died in September, 
1853; Mrs. Squires in May, 1854. The subject of 
this sketch was married, February 2, 1871, to Sarah 
M. , daughter of Daniel Burris, an old settler, by 
whom he has one child — Elwood, aged twelve years. 
After his mother's death Mr. Squires went to live 
with an uncle in Rush County, Ind., with whom he 
resided till 1870, since when he has lived in Fayette 
County. He was elected Assessor of Waterloo Town- 
ship at the spring election of 1884. His farm con- 
sists of eighty acres of good land, upon which are 
commodious buildings. Mrs. Squires is a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

NATHAN STANLEY, farmer, Jennings Town- 
ship, was born in Campbell County, Tenn., in 1810, 
son of Garland and Eleanor (Noble) Stanley, of North 
Carolina descent, former of whom died in Tennessee 
in 1813. In 1822 his widow, with four children — ■ 
Preston, Nathan, Sarah and Elizabeth — settled in 
Union County, Ind., where they lived two years, then 
came to Jennings Township, this county, settling on 
the quarter-section Nathan now resides on. Here 
Mrs. Stanley died in 1840. Coming into the then 
wilderness of Indiana in an early day, our subject 
obtained but a meagre education. In 1838 he was 
married to Mary Ann Golden, by whom he had eight 
children: Sarah E., John P., Edwin, Rusia J., 
Eliza, Lewis, Stephen G. and Lizzie. Mrs. Stanley 
dying in 1855, our subject married, for his second 
wife, in 1856, Elizabeth Grimes, who has borne him 
five children: Frank, Samuel B., Laura, Robert and 
an infant son (deceased). Mr. Stanley has had no 
aspirations for the empty honors of office, preferring 
rather to attend to his own affairs than to those of an 
unappreciative public. In early life he was allied 
with the Democratic party, but for many years he has 
voted the Republican ticket, being now one of the few 
living old Abolitionists of anti-slavery days. He is 
well posted in the affairs of the day, and possesses to 
a rare degree that strong natural ability that makes 
some men conspicuous among their fellows. Mr. 
Stanley has a large farm of over 300 acres, kept in 
fine order, and which is largely the reward of his 
labors. 

JAMES O. STEELE, farmer, Jackson Township, 
is a native of Jackson Township, this County, 
born November 14, 1848. His parents, James and 
Sarah (Belk) Steele, were born in Abbeville District, 
S. C, the former December 2, 1802, the latter Feb- 
ruary 14, 1810. They were married October 27,1844- 
Their parents moved to Franklin County, Ind., in 



1814, and they moved to this county in 1830. James 
Steele followed farming all his life. As a reward of 
true merit he was elected County Commissioner, also 
Township Trustee. He was a Master Mason. A 
member of the Presbyterian Church, he led an 
exemplary life, highly respected by all who knew 
him. He died May 3, 1881, his widow following him 
April 21, 1882. James O., our subject, received a 
good common school education. He was married, 
July 11, 1876, to Miss Florence E. Hamilton, who 
was born in Jennings Township, this county. May 20, 
1853, and to them have been born two children: Bes- 
sie H. and Corie. Mr. Steele resides on a farm of 
ninety acres, on Section 26. He is a Master Mason; 
a member of the I. O. O. F., Subordinate and 
Encampment, and of Ireland Grange, No. 1749. 

HENRY J. STEVENS, farmer, Columbia Town- 
ship, was born in this county October 17, 1826, son 
of Elijah and Nancy Stevens, natives of North Caro- 
lina, where they were married. They were the par- 
ents of the following children : Elizabeth, Solomon, 
Isaac, Enoch, Edmond, Oliver, Amanda and Henry 
J. In an early day they moved to this county, where 
they remained until their death. Henry J., the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was married in this county, Octo- 
ber 19, 1847, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and 
Mary A. (Kindwell) Stevens. After marriage they 
settled on their present farm, where they have since 
resided, and which Mr. Stevens has improved. He 
owns 150 acres of fine land. 

JOHN H. STEVENS, farmer. Orange Township, 
was born in Payette County, Ind., June 15, 1828, son 
of Wells and Agnes (Carwile) Stevens, natives of 
North and South Carolina, respectively. Wells 
Stevens was a son of Robert and Sarah (Bean) Stev- 
ens, who emigrated from North Carolina to Frank- 
lin County, Ind., about the year 1810; thence moved 
to Union County, Ind., subsequently entering and 
settling on a part of the farm where our subject now 
lives, and here Mr Stevens remained until his death, 
which occurred in 1853. He was the father of twelve 
children: Allie, King, John, Jane, Nathan, Henry, 
James, Mary A., Jemima, Isaac, Isom, and Wells, the 
father of our subject, who was next to the eldest. He 
moved with his parents to Franklin County, Ind., in 
1810, and was there married, after which he came to 
this county, settling on what is known as Garrison's 
Creek, Columbia Township, where he remained until 
1838, when he moved to Jay County, Ind., and in 
1845 returned to this county, remaining until his 
death in 1884. His children were Levi, Elizabeth, 
John H, Keziah and Henry. John H, our subject, 
was married in Franklin County, Ind., November 4, 
1848, to Mary J., daughter of Amos and Hetha (Jeff- 
rey) Neptune, who was born in Union County, Ind., 



320 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



October 16, 1832. The children born to this union 
were Eliza J., James G-., Hannah E., Lena L., Amos 
W. and Jonathan (latter deceased). After marriage 
Mr. Stevens settled in Orange Township, where he has 
chiefly remained since. 

COLVILLE STEVENS, farmer, Orange Town- 
ship, was born in Fayette County, Ind., September 
2, 1836, son of James and Hannah (Pierce) Stevens, 
natives of Indiana, where they were married and re- 
mained until 1869, when they moved to Henry Coun- 
ty, Mo., where James Stevens died in 1881. His 
widow is still living. Their children were Col vi lie, 
King H., Sarah, Rachel, Enoch, Mattie, Jesse B. , 
James, Emma and William. Our subject was mar- 
ried in Wabash County, Ind., February 19, 1858, to 
Elizabeth Scott, born in Wabash County, Ind., No- 
vember 10, 1837, daughter of Charles R. and Mary 
(Chumley) Scott. To this union were born four chil- 
dren: Charles R., Kate (deceased), Rhoda and Jesse- 
After marriage Mr. Stevens settled first in Columbia 
Township, this county, but in the fall of 1870 moved 
to Orange Township, and settled on the farm where 
he has since resided. He owns 100 acres of good 
land. 

JOHN STEPHEN, farmer. Orange Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., September 7, 1838, 
one of eleven children born to Thomas G. and Han- 
nah (Sutton) Stephen, the former born November 23, 
1796, in Pennsylvania, and the latter October 2, 
1805, in Ohio. They were married in Ohio, and in 
an early day moved to Fayette County, Ind., where 
they remained until their death. Thomas G. Stephen 
was an extensive farmer, owning over 500 acres of 
land. He died February 19, 1867; his wife in 
October, 1865. Their children were Delilah, Matilda, 
Elizabeth, Mary, Lovina, John, Martin, Lovisa, 
Thomas, Ellen J. and Rhoda F. John, our subject, 
was married in Fayette County, Ind. , January 29, 
1862, to Mary M. Siders, born in Rockbridge County, 
Va., April 4, 1841, daughter of David and Sarah 
(Knick) Siders. After their marriage they settled on 
the farm where they have since resided. They have 
had the following children: Sarah E. , Mary J. (de- 
ceased), Thomas A., John W. , Jesse E., Rhoda F., 
Matilda A. and an infant son, Martin Cleveland 
(deceased). 

MARTIN V. STEPHEN, farmer, Orange Town- 
ship, was born in Fayette County, Ind., January 9, 
1841 ; son of Thomas G. and Hannah (Sutton) Stephen, 
who were the parents of twelve children. Our sub- 
ject was married in Rush County, Ind., March 23, 
1865, to Rachel Graham, a native of that county, 
where she was born November 12, 1842. Her father, 
Hezekiah Graham, was born in Pennsylvania in 1798, 
was married in Ohio to a Miss Sarah Smith, and in 



an early day moved to Rush County, Ind., where his 
wife died. He subsequently married Elizabeth 
Stamm. He died in 1870, the father of nineteen 
children: Rebecca A., John, Elizabeth, Phebe, Susan, 
Samuel, Moses, Isaac, Sarah, by first wife; and 
Rachel, Laura, Hezekiah, Ellen, Emily, Charlotte, 
Harriet, Joseph, Abigail and Anna by his second 
wife. After their marriage our subject and wife set- 
tled on the farm where they have since resided. Their 
family consists of four children: Chester, born June 
19, 1866; Laura M,, born March 4, 1868; Frances 
L., born April 12, 1871, and Daisie E., born March 
31, 1878, died January 13, 1879. Mr. Stephen owns 
270 acres of fine land, all improved. 

J. P. STILTZ, Orange Township, dealer in 
choice groceries, queensware, glassware and clothing, 
Glenwood, Ind., was born near Baltimore, Md., Au- 
gust 13, 1844, son of Nicholas and Eleanor (Foster) 
Stiltz. Nicholas Stiltz, who was one of the nine 
children of John and Catherine (Sigler) Stiltz, was 
born in Lancaster County, Penn., in the year 1803. In 
his early life he worked at blacksmithing, after which 
he engaged in farming and milling. Mrs. Eleanor 
Stiltz was born in Baltimore County, Md., in 1811, 
and was one of a family of twelve children born to 
Nicholas and Sarah Foster. Our subject's parents 
were married in Baltimore County, Md., in 1833, 
where they settled and remained until their death. 
Their children were Martha E., Edwin N. , J. Emory 
and James P. Our subject, who is next to the eldest 
of the children, is a graduate of the Iron City Com- 
mercial College, of Pittsbiu-gh, Penn. In 1865 he 
went to Baltimore, where he clerked in the store of 
D. W. Darrah for seven years. During this time he 
visited Connersville, Ind., and was married May 25, 
1871, to Margaret Nichols, who was born there Au- 
gust 12, 1845, daughter of H. W. and Margaret 
(Wegerle) Nichols. Two children have been born to 
this union : Harry E. (deceased) and Rollie P. In 
the fall of 1872 Mr. Stiltz moved to Connersville, 
where he remained until the following spring, when 
he came to Glenwood, and there clerked in the store 
of H. C. Wilkinson for a short time, and afterward 
for J. S. Nash about two years. He then went on 
the road as a commercial salesman a short time, and 
January 1, 1880, purchased a stock of goods and 
opened up the business which he has since conducted. 
He is at present carrying on an extensive trade. Mr. 
Stiltz is one of the most live business men of Glen- 
wood. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

ELIJAH STITES, farmer. Orange Township, is 
a native of Pennsylvania, born April 8, 1807, son of 
John and Christena (Steward) Stites, natives of New 
Jersey, and of English and French descent. They 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



321 



were married in their native State, and from thence 
in an early day moved to Pennsylvania, and in 1813 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, purchasing a farm where the 
Twenty-ninth Ward of that city now is, and where 
Mrs. Stites died in 1874. Mr. Stites subsequently 
moved to Madison County, Ind., and there died in 
1879. Their children were Phebe, Sarah, Mary, 
Elijah, Christena, Elmira, Enoch, John, Alexander, 
and others that died in infancy. Elijah, our subject, 
came with his parents to Cincinnati, with whom he 
remained until his fourteenth year, when he began 
work for himself. In 1825 he commenced the car- 
penter's trade at Cincinnati with Daniel Stagg, with 
whom he stayed over three years as an apprentice. 
He was married in Cincinnati, August 21, 1829, to 
Malinda Colvin, a native of Kentucky, born August 
16, 1807. In 1849 Mr. Stites moved to Fayette 
County, Ind., and settled on the farm where he has 
since resided. He owns 182 acres of good land, prin- 
cipally improved by himself. 

CHARLES M. STONE, with a twin sister, was 
born in Columbia Township, Fayette Co., Ind., May 
26, 1821. His father, Martin Stone, was a native of 
Massachusetts; his mother, Eliza (Klum) Stone, was 
a native of Vermont. They were married about the 
year 1814, and moved from Pittsburgh, Penn., in the 
winter of 1820, and settled in Fayette County, Ind. 
The father was a blacksmith by trade, also a contractor 
on public works, having superintended the building 
of the first macadamized road that led into Pittsburgh. 
He was killed by the falling of a tree, October 17, 
1821. The mother afterward taught school a num- 
ber of years in the neighborhood where she lived, and 
died March 25, 1849. Y^oung Stone worked on a 
farm and attended the district schools, mostly under 
the tuition of his mother until eighteen or nineteen 
years of age, when he entered the seminary at Con- 
nersville,and was one year under the instruction of the 
late Harvey Nutting, after which he taught a country 
district school one year. He was married to Miss 
Lovisa Carver, September 18, 1842, and soon after 
settled on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Stone 
was elected Justice of the Peace in the year 1844, 
and served continuously up to 1850, when he resigned 
and was elected to the Legislature, being re-elected 
in 1851 ; was again elected Justice of the Peace in 
1854, resigned in 1856, and was again elected to 
represent his county in the Legislature. In 1858 he 
was again elected Justice of the Peace and served up 
to 1876, when he received the nomination of his party 
for County Auditor. Though his legal term as Justice 
expired before the date for the election of Auditor, the 
pretext of ineligibility was made against him on 
account of the commission he already held, and to 
save his friends and his party from any trouble that 



might possibly occur he quietly withdrew from the 
race, and has since lived in retirement on his farm. 
Mr. Stone was originally a Whig in politics, and 
afterward a Republican. Through life he has always 
given a helping hand to every interest of his country, 
and especially to his own township and county. To 
him are the people indebted for his efforts while in 
the Legislature in securing the enactment of laws, and 
the making of appropriations for the encouragement 
and benefit of the agricultural interests of the State. 

JOHN W. STONE, farmer. Orange Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ind., March 21, 1846, 
son of Silas H. and Martha S. (Dicken) Stone, the 
former born in Boyle County, Ky., November 9, 1801, 
and the latter in Scott County, April 2, 1807. They 
were married in Fayette County, Ind. , December 23, 
1822, and have remained here principally ever since. 
Mrs. Stone died of heart disease January 6, 1885. 
They were the parents of twelve children: Evin S., 
Nancy A, Allen T., Eliza F., James M., Henry S., 
Elizabeth I., Desdemona, Matilda, John W., Cathe- 
rine and Spencer. John W., our subject, was mar- 
ried in this county, February 15, 1871, to Mary E., 
daughter of James D. and Elizabeth Henry, born 
June 21, 1842. Four children were born to this 
union: Jesse O. , Flora I. (deceased) and two that 
died in infancy. After marriage Mr. Stone settled in 
Orange Township, on his father's old homestead, 
which he now owns, and in 1882 moved t6 Fayette- 
ville, where he has since resided. 

JOHN H. STOOPS, farmer and stock-raiser, 
Jackson Township, was born in Franklin County, 
Ind., May 3, 1834, son of John and Eda (Martin) 
Stoops, the former born in Alabama, May 3, 1802, 
the latter in South Carolina, November 15, 1804. 
They were married December 20, 1822, and settled in 
this county in 1836. They reared a family of eight 
children, live of whom are now living. The father 
died October 22, 1869. The subject of this sketch 
received a common school education; was married, 
December 31, 1857, to Miss Sarah F. Corbin, who 
was born in this township May 2, 1838. He resides 
on Section 7, on a farm of 175| acres of land; also 
owns 167 acres on Sections 7 and 18. He farmed up 
to 1879, when he engaged in the dairy business, con- 
tinuing in same up to April, 1884, at which time he 
closed out the business. In 1870 Mr. Stoops pur- 
chased over a sixth interest in the Fayette & 
Franklin Turnpike Company, which has proved a 
profitable investment. He is also interested in the 
co-operative store at Everton. He is a member, with 
his wife, of Fayette Grange, No. 1673; he is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., No. 39, and Fayette County 
Protection Society. Mr. and Mrs. Stoops are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. 



322 



BIOGKAPHIES. 



J. M. SUTCLIFFE (deceased), Waterloo Town- 
ship, was born in Kentucky in 1821, a son of Eev. 
John and Mary Sutcliife, natives of England, who 
came to America in 1812, and to this township in 
1828. Rev. John Sutclifife was a man of education 
and talent, and a valuable worker in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in its early history in this locality. 
He died in 1843, aged about sixty years; his wife 
preceded him several years. They had ten children, 
two of whom are now living: John, and Mrs. Maria 
Thomas, in Iowa. The deceased are Frederick, Mary 
A., Eliza, Julia, Elizabeth, Alice, Senica and Joseph 
M. Our subject, who received a good education, was 
married to Cynthia Ann Robinson, in 1842, by whom 
he had four children, two of whom are now living: 
John A. and Emma C. Mary E. and Mary M. are 
deceased. Mr. Sutcliffe was an exemplary member 
of the Methodist Chui'ch, in which he served his Mas- 
ter forty years. He served as a Commissioner of the 
county, and was a gentletnan universally respected. 
Matthew Robinson, father of Mrs. Cynthia Ann 
Sntcliffe, was born in Morgantown, Va., in 1781. 
He settled in this township in 1814, and spent the 
rest of his life here. He was one of the founders of 
the Robinson Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and a devoted Christian. Eleven children were born 
to him, four of whom are now living: Cynthia Ann, 
George W. , Bigelow and Hanson. The deceased are 
Sarah, William, Nathan, Jesse, James, Elizabeth and 
Mary. Mr. Robinson died in 1841; his widow, 
Eleanor Robinson, died in 1864, aged eighty-four 
years. Mrs. Sutclifife is a lady of refinement, a zeal- 
ous worker in the Methodist Church. 

DAVID SUTTON (deceased), Jennings Township, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and there married Anchor, 
Fox, who bore him ten children: Mary, Iva, Absa- 
lom, Rebecca, Jabel, David, Nancy, Abram B., Eliza 
and William. In 1816 Mr. Sutton settled in the then 
woods of this township, entered the four quarter-sec- 
tions of land now occupied by his son, Abram B., and 
there lived and died. He was very successful in life. 
He reared a large family, and at his death left them 
in comfortable circumstances. He departed this life 
August 15, 1845, aged seventy-nine years and five 
months; his widow died August 11, 1855, aged eighty- 
two years, eleven months and seventeen days. Both 
were members of the Baptist Church, with which they 
had been connected for many years. Abram B. Sut- 
ton, the only surviving member of his father's large 
family, was born March 5, 1809, in Warren County, 
Ohio. He was united in marriage, in 1831, with 
Sarah, daughter of James Conaway, who bore him 
nine children: William, Thompson, Lafayette, Jane, 
Samantha, Sarah, living; and James, Elizabeth and 
Adeline, deceased. Mrs. Sutton died in 1874. Our 



subject has lived on the place where his parents first 
settled for sixty-eight years. He has reared his large 
family and has lived to see most of them married. 
Mr. Sutton has made life a fair success, and now owns 
fifty-nine acres of good land. He cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for Andrew Jackson — "Old Hickory." 
Our subject's father was a cousin to Gen. Sutton, a 
distinguished military man and pioneer in the early 
settlement of Ohio. 

O. H. SWIFT, retired farmer, Posey Township, 
was born near Connersville, Ind., January 24, 1831. 
He is a son of John Swift, who was born at Center- 
villo, Ohio, September 12, 1806, a son of Robert 
Swift, a native of New Jersey, who moved to near 
Lebanon, Ohio, and afterward to the vicinitj' of Cin- 
cinnati, at an early day in the history of Ohio. In 
1818 he settled in Connersville, then comprised of 
three log-cabins. Here he lived until his death, fol- 
lowing his trade — shoe-making. He was a man of 
strong religious convictions, and the first preaching 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church was held at his 
house. Five children were born to him, one now living 
— Mary Grace. The deceased children wore named 
John, Sarah (wife of Robert GrifiSs), Mary J. (wife 
of William Sparks), and Artemesia. John Swift 
married Mrs. Elizabeth Lockwood, whose maiden 
name was Thorp, by whom he had four children: O. 
H., W. R., Sarah J. and A. C. Mrs. Swift died April 
6, 1841, aged thirty-six years. Mr. Swift married for 
his second wife Mrs. Maria McColley, whose maiden 
name was Dale, who bore him three children: Char- 
lotte, America (deceased) and M. D. Mrs. Swift dy- 
ing September 26, 1849, aged thirty-two years, Mr. 
Swift married for his third wife Sarah Ann Smith. 
John Swift died October 15, 1882. The subject of 
this sketch has been twice married, first to Malinda 
Daugherty, in 1861, by whom he had two children: 
Mary E. and James O., the latter deceased. Mrs. 
Swift died March 21, 1866; born May 15, 1844. His 
present wife, Mary A. Clifton (wee Lake), he married 
December 31, 1867, and by her has had one child — 
Florence Ada. Nine years ago Mr. Swift located in 
Bentonville, where he kept a grocery store and post- 
ofBce eight years. Abandoning these, he returned to 
his farm of 108 acres good land. He and his wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

WILLIAM R. SWIFT, farmer and trader, Jack- 
eon Township, is a native of this county, born in 
Connersville Township, June 14, 1833. His father, 
John Swift, was born in Centerville, Ohio, September 
12, 1806, and with his father, Robert Swift, moved 
in 1818 to Connersville, then only a few log-houses. 
Robert Swift stands at the head of the list of Meth- 
odists in Connersville. In his house the first society 
was organized for class meetings, he being appointed 



FAYETTE COUNTr. 



323 



Leader. Preaching was also held at his house for 
some time. John Swift in early life was a merchant 
and kept a hotel; in middle life he was a farmer and 
trader in stock and real estate. In his older days he 
lived a retired life, having accumulated considerable 
wealth. He died in the Methodist faith, October 15, 
1882. William R., our subject, enjoyed a good com- 
mon school education. He farmed until he was of 
age, and then traded in stock. He was married, 
December 17, 1867, to Mrs. Cassie G. Snowden, who 
was born February 28, 1840, daughter of William G. 
and Sarah Smith, natives of Maryland, where the 
former was born August 3, 1796, the latter January 
27, 1802. Mr. Smith, during the war of 1812, par- 
ticipated in Perry's victory, and took charge of 300 
prisoners, escorting them to Philadelphia for safe 
keeping. He and his wife came to Indiana in 1835, 
and spent their declining years with Mr. Swift. Our 
subject has been successful. His farm of ninety 
acres is located on Section 7. He and his estimable 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

JAMES H. TATE, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch 
is a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of this 
county. He was born four miles southwest of Con- 
nersville, July 20, 1830, and is a son of William A. 
H. Tate, who is still living, in his eightieth year (see 
sketch of John Tate). He spent bis early years upon 
the farm with his parents, and obtained a fair educa- 
tion in the district schools. At the early age of nine 
years he began working for himself as United States 
Mail Carrier, an occupation which he has since en- 
gaged in to a greater or less extent. A.t the age of 
twenty-one he entered into his iirst contract with the 
Government, for carrying a triweekly mail between 
Connersville and Eushville, having charge of several 
other routes at the same time. This constituted his 
principal occupation up to 1857, on December 23 of 
which year he was married to Miss Louisa Holstead, 
also a native of this county, and a daughter of Hick- 
son and Eliza (Jones) Holstead, who were among the 
first settlers here from Kentucky. Mr. Holstead is a 
native of New York State; is in his eighty-fifth year 
and very spry. After his marriage Mr. Tate turned 
his attention to farming, gardening, etc., and this 
occupation has chiefly engaged him since that date. 
He was engaged in the carpenter's trade from 1856 to 
1861, however, and in that interval contracted for 
and erected most of the schoolhouses in this town- 
ship. In 1852 he and his father purchased fifty-two 
acres, and on this farm Mr. Tate has lived ever since 
his marriage. He received ten acres of the farm and 
the house which was erected in 1843-44, and here he 
brought his young bride, with whom he was ever 



after to dwell in the independent pursuits of farm 
life and the discharge of his official duties. From 
about 1860 Mr. Tate served as Assessor for twelve 
years. He was gate-keeper at the county fair for 
twenty-eight consecutive years, and served seven 
years in the same capacity at the State fair at Indian- 
apolis. He has also served as Deputy Sheriff, and is 
in every sense a very useful citizen, always discharg- 
ing his duties with credit and satisfaction. Mr. Tate 
has eight children living: John E., Emery E., Maud 
M., William H., Curtis F., James H., Jr., Orley and 
" Tip,'' the last mentioned only nicknamed. Maud 
M. and E. E. are engaged in teaching school. " Tip," 
after the nomination of Mr. Cleveland for President, 
named himself Grover C. Tate. He is, perhaps, the 
first child in the United States named for Cleveland, 
who now occupies so prominent a position. The 
paternal side of the family is essentially a family of 
musicians, and most of the above-named children, as 
well as the father, are devotees of Apollo, the house 
furnishing an orchestra of eight pieces— three horns, 
four violins and one organ. Mr. Tate is a Repub- 
lican of the old Whig stamp, and one of the most 
wide-awake citizens of the county. His possessions 
have increased to 172 acres, and this is well improved 
and cultivated. 

JOHN TATE, farmer, Connersville Township. 
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is 
a son of W. A. H. Tate, one of the pioneers of this 
county, and was born in Connersville Township, this 
county, Oct. 1, 1832. His mother was Louisa Cunning- 
ham. His parents came to this township from Virginia 
in a very early day. On the farm where they endured 
their frontier trials and hardships, the old cabin which 
first sheltered them still stands, surrounded by a rem- 
nant of the old orchard which they planted. William 
Tate, the greatgrandfather of our subject, was an 
officer in the Revolutionary war, and the latter has in 
his possession a silver button, on which is engraved 
the initials " \V. T." and dated 1775, the same having 
been taken from the old Revolutionary hero's uniform. 
Our subject resided on the farm with his parents till 
twenty-seven years of age. He obtained a good com- 
mon school education, and this he has supplemented 
by several years of careful self-culture gleaned from 
his own private library, being thoroughly up to the 
times, on the topics with which he is remarkably con- 
versant. On arriving at his majority Mr. Tate began 
business as a United Slates Mail Contractor, and con- 
tinued in the employ of the Government four years, 
doing some farming in the meantime. He was next 
engaged in carpentering, erecting school buildings in 
various parts of the county, assisting his father and 
brother. December 23, 1858, he married Miss Mary 
A. Conaway, a native of Orange Township, and 



324 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



daughter of A. S. and Elizabeth (GrifiSn) Conaway. 
After his marriage Mr. Tate resided on the farm of 
his father-in-law three years and then removed to his 
present home of 117 acres, which he purchased in 
1864. Here he has since resided, and although vari- 
ously engaged during the time, has given his chief 
attention to agricultural pursuits, always being alive 
to the best interests of his community. He was a 
prominent worker in the organization of the Green- 
back party at Indianapolis, in June, 1874, and for 
the past thirty years has been an active member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has 
been connected oflicially twenty-five years. In its 
day he was a prominent leader in the grange move- 
ment, but of late years has not given much attention 
to public affairs. Mr. Tate is a man of decisive char- 
acter and a very useful citizen in his community. 
His family of children are four in number: William 
A., Mary L., John C. and Myrtle M. Two infants 
are deceased. The eldest son is engaged in the study 
of law at Connersville. 

SYDNEY J. TAYLOR, farmer, Harrison Town- 
ship, was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., January 8, 
1819. His father, Joseph Taylor, was born in Hamp- 
den County, Mass., December 2, 1791, and died May 
26, 1828. His mother, Abigail (Thomas) Taylor, was 
born in Saratoga County, N. Y., September 8, 1794, 
and died April 2, 1872. They came to this county 
in February, 1825. Our subject received a common 
school education. In 1830 he commenced farming, 
which he followed till 1850, then engaged in carpen- 
tering until 1863. He was married, April 10, 1862, 
to Miss Harriet Ludlow, who was born in this town- 
ship December 25, 1823. By this union two children 
were born: Joseph H. and Morvin J. Since 1863 
Mr. Taylor has resumed farming. He has served as 
Road Supervisor; has been a member of Harrison 
Lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F., since 1852. His father 
was drafted in the war of 1812, but as his employer 
could not spare him from the business, was obliged 
to hire a substitute. 

BENJAMIN THOMAS, farmer, Harrison Town- 
ship, is another of the pioneer settlers of the valley, 
who came to it when it was almost an unbroken for- 
est, and for a period of upward of sixty years has he 
been cognizant of the wonderful changes wrought by 
the onward march of progress, in which he has played 
his part. His birth occurred in Allegany County, N. 
Y., on the 22d of August, 1802, son of John and 
Sarah N. (Beardroufif) Thomas, natives of New York 
State, whore the mother died in 1810. About the 
year 1818 the father removed to Ohio and in 1822 to 
Indiana, locating in what is now Fayette County. 
He was twice married. By his first wife were born 
Benjamin, Jesse, Gilbert and Stephen. His second 



wife, Sarah Simons, bore him one child — Sallie. He 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, an honorable citizen, 
much respected. Our subject was reared to agricult- 
ural pursuits, and received but meagre educational 
advantages. In 1829 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Eliza Savage, a native of Maine. To this union 
were born Jesse H., Sarah A., Eliza J., Oliver C, 
Margaret, Samuel, Mary A., Austin, Benjamin W., 
Winfield S. and Hannah E. Sarah A. died Novem- 
ber 9, 1851, and Oliver C. died in the hospital Sep- 
tember 13, 1862, of erysipelas, while serving his 
country as a member of Company L, Second Regi- 
ment Indiana Cavalry. The wife of our subject died 
February 22, 1857, and he subsequently married 
Francena Reed, whose death occurred two years later. 
His third marriage was with Mary A. Keener. Mr. 
Thomas and a portion of the family are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a well-to-do 
farmer aod a most excellent citizen. 

JAMES THOMAS, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, was born in this county in 1827, son of Joseph 
and Elizabeth (Fixley) Thomas, natives of Ohio and 
Kentucky, respectively, and who married in this 
county and resided here most of their lives. The 
father died in Huntington County, Ind., in 1860, the 
mother in Logansport in March, 1881. Our subject 
resided with his parents till he was twenty-four years 
of age, and in 1851 married Margaret A. Jones, also 
a native of this county and daughter of William and 
Lucinda (Ginn) Jones, who settled in this county 
during the period of its Indian history. After his 
marriage Mr. Thomas engaged in farming up to 1860. 
He then worked at the stone-mason's trade at Hunt- 
ington, Ind., for five years, returning to this county 
in 1865, and purchasing his present farm of seventy- 
three and one- half acres in 1874. He has since been 
chiefly employed on the farm, doing an occasional 
job of stone work for his neighbors when called 
upon. He has been quite successful in pursuits, and 
by hard labor has earned for himself a comfortable 
home. Mr. Thomas is the father of five children: 
Josephine, Eliza A., Lucinda, John and Edward — 
all married but the latter. In politics Mr. Thomas 
is a Republican, not aggressive in his sentiments, but 
choosing to let every man think and vote as he pleases. 

BUEL J. THOMAS, farmer and stock-dealer, Har- 
rison Township, was born September 21, 1835, in 
Harrison Township, Fayette Co., Ind., son of Will- 
iam W. and Folly (Trobridge) Thomas, natives of 
New York, and who emigrated to this township in 
1819. They were married August 23, 1827. The 
father was born June 24, 1800, and died August 21, 
1883; the mother was born August 24, 1805, and died 
October 1, 1875. Our subject acquired a common 
school education, and has farmed and dealt in stock 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



325 



all through life. He was married, May 27, 1857, to 
Miss Martha Caldwell, who was born in Fayette 
County, Ind., January 14, 1837. They have had four 
children born to them: Elmer, born May 5, 1858, 
died March' 5, 1865; Charles I.; Hubbard T. ; Harry 
H. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Baptist Church. 
WILLIAM D. THOMAS, farmer, Fairview 
Township, was born in Tipton County, Ind., Decem- 
ber 26, 1843, son of Minor L. and Cynthia P. (Jef- 
frey) Thomas, natives of Fayette County, Ind. 
Minor L. Thomas was bom in 1820, a son of David 
F. Thomas, a native of New York, born in the year 
1795, a soldier in the war of 1812, and one of the 
early pioneers of Fayette County. He was twice 
married, and was the father of three children: Har- 
riet, Erasmus, and Minor L. Our subject's father 
was married in this county to Cynthia P. Jeffrey, 
born in 1822. After their marriage they moved to 
Tipton County, Ind., where they remained about four 
years, then returned to this county, and in about two 
years later moved to Tipton County, but subsequently 
came back here, settling at Connersville, where he 
engaged in merchandising for some time, after which 
he moved the store to Tipton, and carried on business 
there about three years, then sold out and engaged 
in keeping hotel at that place until 1857, when his 
wife died. He subsequently returned to Fayette 
County, and was again married, this time to Elizabeth 
Shisler. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Fifty- 
fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until 
1863, when he came home on furlough, and died 
July 20, 1863. He was the father of five children: 
William D., Henry H., Caroline, Mary and Erasmus. 
Our subject, the eldest child, enlisted October 19, 
1863, in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until 
September 16, 1865, when he was discharged, and 
returned to Fayette County, Ind. He was married, 
November 21, 1867, to Amanda E. Shortridge, born 
in this county July 19, 1846, and daughter of Daniel 
and Elizabeth Shortridge, of Fairview Township, 
this county, and to this union have been born four 
children: Altha C, Emma J. (deceased), Elmore and 
Martha P. In 1875 Mr. Thomas purchased and 
moved on the farm where he now lives. 

HON. WOODSON W. THRASHER, farmer, 
Fairview Township, was born in Pendleton County, 
Ky., February 4, 1812. His parents, John and 
Elizabeth (Rush) Thrasher, were natives of Ken- 
tucky and of English and Irish extraction. John 
Thrasher was a son of Josiah Thrasher, a native of 
Maryland, and his father, John Thrasher, Sr., was 
one of three brothers who emigrated from England 
to the United States during the Revolutionary war. 
He first settled in Maryland and was there manied 



to Elizabeth Hooker, and subsequently moved to 
Kentucky, where he remained until hi-s death. He 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; was the 
father of a large family, of whom Josiah (the grand- 
father of our subject) was the eldest. He was mar- 
ried in Pendleton County, Ky., to Nancy Bonar, and 
about the year 1830 moved to Rush County, Ind., 
where she died shortly afterward. He survived her 
several years. Their children were John, Josiah, 
Sarah and Stephen. John Thrasher and Elizabeth, 
daughter of Peter and Mary Rush, were united in 
wedlock in Pendleton, Ky., and in 1824 moved to 
Rush County, Ind., where she died in 1855. He sub- 
sequently married Mary Copland, and died in 1876. 
He was the father of ten children: Woodson W., 
Mary, Nancy, William, Josiah, Maria, Lucinda, Caro- 
line, Joseph and an infant son who died unnamed. 
Our subject with his parents moved to Rush County, 
this State, in 1824, and resided with them until his 
marriage in 1831, with Barbara, daughter of Philip and 
Barbara Daubenspeck, born in Bourbon County, Ky., 
February 14, 1811. After his marriage Mr. 
Thrasher settled just over the line from his father in 
Fayette County, where he has since resided, giving 
his attention to agricultural pursuits, having been 
extensively engaged in breeding and raising improved 
stock, and to him are the people of this section of 
Indiana largely indebted for the fine stock with which 
the farms abound. He has as prominently, too, been 
connected with all enterprises and interests of the 
county which have had a tendency to develop the 
resources and to educate and Christianize her people. 
The subjects of education and Christianity have ever 
been close to his heart and to their advancement he 
has given much of his mighty energy and liberally of 
his means, being largely instrumental in establishing 
the academy at Fairview and the Christian Church 
near by, with which both himself and wife have been 
connected for forty years or more; he having been an 
Elder therein during the greater part of the time. 
As an evidence of his interest in Ihe subject of edu- 
cation we have but to state that all his eight children 
are collegiate graduates and among them are a prom- 
inent physician in Cincinnati, a Professor of Mathe- 
matics in Butler College at Indianapolis, and another 
a graduate of the profession of law. The father 
of Mr. Thrasher before him was a Whig, with which 
party our subject was in his younger life identified, 
casting his first vote for Henry Clay. Since the 
organization of the Republican party he has been a 
warm advocate of its principles. He at one time was 
one of the County Commissioners, and in 1867 was 
chosen by the citizens of the county a Representative 
in the State Legislature, where he at once became 
conspicuous and was identified with the leading 

IS 



326 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



measures that came before the Legislature during his 
term of service in the years 1867 and 1868. He was 
Chairman of the Committee on Eoads and Highways; 
he also served on a committee appointed to visit and 
report the condition of the Southern prison at Jef- 
fersonville; the Chairman's report he refused to sign, 
and with another colleague drew up a minority report, 
which was accepted by the Legislature. He was 
largely instrumental in securing the passage of the 
Indiana drain or ditching law enacted during his 
service, which bill he was greatly interested in. His 
name is also prominently connected with other im- 
portant measures of which for the want of space we 
must here leave unmentioned. Mr. Thrasher has 
been evidently successful in life, and has been blessed 
with most excellent health. Seldom, if ever, has he 
been confined to bed dui-ing his long life on account 
of sickness; and it is greatly to his credit to remark 
that he has never been engaged in a lawsuit He 
started in life with small means, but by thrift and 
industry he has accumulated a handsome competency. 
His children all grew to manhood and womanhood. 
Their names are William M., Elizabeth, John P., 
Marion, Harriet, Sarah, Allen B. and Oliver. 

WILLIAM R. TYNEB, farmer, Harrison Town- 
ship, is a native of Indiana, born May 3, 1835. His 
father, Samuel G. Tyner, was born in Brookville 
Ind., and died June 3, 1883. He farmed all his life. 
Our subject received a common school education. He 
was married, February 13, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth 
Williams, a native of Indiana. To this union has 
been born one child— Sadie. Mr. Tyner has been 
Road Supervisor. He has spent his life in farming, 
and is an industrious, reputable citizen. 

GEORGE VAN BUSKIRK, farmer, Posey Town- 
ship, was born in Kentucky, July 9, 1802, son of 
George, Sr., and Mary (Rulony) Buskirk, who settled 
in Wayne County, Ind., in 1815, where both died. 
They had six children, all now deceased but our subject. 
He was married, in 1826, to Rachel Helm, who was 
born in Ross County, Ohio, October 9, 1805. In 1830 
he left Wayne County, Ind., and settled in Posey 
Township, Fayette County, same State, where he has 
since resided, and has prospered. He is the father of 
twelve children, nine of whom are now living: Harriet, 
Tillman, Daniel, Ruben, Martha, Nancy, Martin, 
Catherine and Perry. Sidney, Elizabeth and Mary 
are deceased Daniel is a minister of the Christian 
Church, and is called the " Beecher of the West." 
Mr. and Mrs. Van Buskirk are members of the same 
church, with which they have been connected over 
half a century. 

JAMES VANHORN, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, one of the wealthiest and most prominent colored 
men of this county, was born a slave in Pendleton 



County, Ky., January 15, 1804. His father was a white 
native of Germany, which fact perhaps accounts for 
the persevering and industrious habits which have 
characterized Mr. Vanhorn's whole life. Mr. Van- 
horn passed his early years in his native State on the 
plantation of his master, Josiah Thrasher, by whom 
he was retained till nearly twenty-two years of age. 
He then made his escape to the North and located in 
Rush County, Ind., where he resided but a few years, 
when he came to this county. For one year he made 
his home with John Thrasher, a son of his former 
master: from there he went to Billy McCarty's, where 
he resided two years; thence he moved to John Cald- 
well's, also to Gen. Caldwell's, where he was engaged 
chiefly in teaming goods from Cincinnati to this sec- 
tion of the county for the resident merchants, and 
where he bought his freedom for 1250, his own 
money. About 1840 he purchased 160 acres in 
Blackford County, Ind., trading this tract for eighty 
acres of his present farm about 1854. By hard and 
continued labor he has since been able to add to his 
original possessions till he now owns 121 acres of 
valuable land. Previous to his marriage, Mr. Vanhorn 
was employed as bar keeper on the steamboat "Adri- 
atic," plying between Cincinnati and New Orleans, 
and although constantly engaged for some time in 
mixing and dealing out liquors of various kinds, was 
never kaowu to taste them himself. Mr. Vanhorn 
was married, July 3, 1842, to Miss Nancy Foster, 
who was born in Ohio. Nine children blessed this 
union, seven now surviving: Oliver, John A., Francis 
M., Harriet, Malinda, Charles and Cordelia. AVesley 
and Eliza are deceased. Mrs. Vanhorn passed away 
January 3, 1880. Mr. Vanhorn may well be re- 
garded as one of the successful farmers of this 
county. He is a most worthy example to his race, 
and his life furnishes abundant proof of the advan- 
tages of freedom of thought and action. He is 
regarded as one of the most reliable citizens in this 
community, and is entitled to great credit for his 
industry and good character. 

JOHN WALKER, farmer, Jennings Township, 
was born on the old homestead, April 13, 1828, son 
of William Walker, who was born in Virginia in 
1777. The latter, a son of Charles Walker, also a 
Virginian, settled near Chillicothe, Ohio, among the 
Indians, at a very early day in the settlement of Ohio, 
and there died. William Walker was married in 
Ohio to Jane Corbet, by whom he had twelve children, 
four of whom are now living: Joseph, James, Samuel 
and John. The deceased are Jane, Henry, Willis, 
Alexander, William, Frances, Eliza J. and Lewis. 
In 1819 Mr. and Mrs. Walker, with their two chil- 
di-en, Henry and William, removed to and settled in 
Jennings Township, this county, entering 160 acres 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



327 



of land. Mr. Walker was poor in purse, depending 
entirely on his own exertions for a living, bnt he was 
energetic and made good progress from the start, 
accumulating, with the aid of his family, about 
3,500 acres of land. He was a man of honor, ster- 
ling character, and whose word was as good as his 
bond. He and his wife were members of the Meth- 
odist Church, in which they worked for Christ and 
their soul's salvation till called to a higher reward. 
Mr. Walker served in the war of 1812. He was a 
Jacksonian Democrat at one time, but joined the 
Whig party, and died in the ranks of the Repub- 
lican party. He died May 17, 1859, aged eighty- 
two years, his wife having preceded him June 15, 
1855, aged seventy-two years, six months. Our 
subject was married, in 1853, to Mary E., daughter 
of David and Elizabeth (Lemmon) Berry, by whom he 
had three children: Eugene J., Frances S. and Albert 
S. He has always lived within half a mile of his 
birth-place. He has prospered, and now owns 230 
acres of good land. He is a devoted member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been 
connected for many years. He is an uncompromising 
Eepublican, and takes more than an average interest 
in j)ublic affairs. 

FOREST M. WEBB, farmer, Columbia Town- 
ship, is a native of Fayette County, Ind., and is 
descended from an old and well respected family of the 
county. His parents were Forest M. and Clarissa 
(Bryant) Webb, natives of Kentucky, who emigrated 
to this county in a very early day. The former was 
born in Boone County, April 4, 1802, a son of Ed- 
ward Webb, who wa.s born in Virginia, November 21, 
1769, and who emigrated thence to Boone County, 
Ky., in a very early day. From there he moved to 
the Territory of Indiana, first settling near Harrison, 
Ohio, and in 1814 came to Fayette County, Ind., set- 
tling in Columbia Township, where he remained 
until his death, which occurred July 29, 1851. He 
was a man of considerable ability, and figured con- 
spicuously in the early affairs of the county. He 
was chosen on the organization of the county one of 
its Associate Judges, which position he filled for 
twenty-seven years consecutively — see history proper 
of Columbia Township. Forest M., his son, and the 
father of our subject, came with him to this county in 
1814, and was here united in marriage with Clarissa 
Bryant, who was born near Georgetown, Scott Co., 
Ky., November 18, 1806. To this union were born: 
Mary F., February 12, 1825; Sarah A., May 17, 
1827; James E., October 8, 1831; Robert L., March 
31, 1835: Catherine, May 19, 1838; John P., August 
19, 1841; Theodore F., April 2, 1844, and Forest 
M., our subject, February 2, 1848. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Webb settled in this county, where his wife 



died November 25, 1883. He is now a resident of 
Kokomo, Ind. Our subject was married November 
17, 1870, to Cornelia, daughter of Homan and Lydia 
(Hughes) Jones, whose sketch will be found else- 
where. She died May 24, 1880, having borne three 
children: Forest M. (deceased), Nellie M. and Paul 
J. Mr. Webb was again mairied in this county, 
January 1, 1884, this time to Gertrude Burgoyne, 
who was born in Franklin County, Ind., December 
28, 1864, daughter of J. C. and Georgiana (Hazard) 
Burgoyne. 

THOMAS WEST, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, is a native of County Armagh, Ireland, born in 
March, 1811. His parents, William and Eleanor 
(Patterson) West, were natives of Scotland, and 
emigrated from that country to Quebec, Canada, in 
1828. From there the family moved to Vermont, 
and soon after to Pennsylvania, from which State 
about four years later they moved to Franklin Coun- 
ty, Ohio, where the father purchased 170 acres of 
land, and subsequently attained an enviable position 
of wealth. In 1830 Thomas West began the trade of 
stone-cutter in Beaver County, Penn. , where he was em- 
ployed four years. He next spent one year as an 
operator in the rolling mills of Pittsburgh, and then 
moved down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, from 
which cit}- he came to this township, where he has 
since resided. In 1847 Mr. West purchased his pres- 
ent farm of eighty acres, on which he has since been 
toiling for the improvement of his worldly interests. 
In 1831 he married Margery Moore, a native of Coun- 
ty Donegal, Ireland, a daughter of John and Sophia 
(McNutt) Moore. They have no family. 

GEORGE J. WICKERD, farmer, Connersville 
Township, a native of Franklin County, Ind., was 
born September 26, 1835. His father, Jacob Wick- 
erd, was born in the State of Delaware, September 
14, 1815; and his mother, Susan (Stams) Wickerd, 
was a native of Pennsylvania. They were married 
November 28, 1834. Jacob Wickerd was a shoe- 
maker, and came to Indiana in 1836. The means 
the subject of this sketch had for obtaining an educa- 
tion were limited. He was united in marriage, De- 
cember 20, 1865, with Miss Mary J. Martin, who 
was born June 22, 1844, in Franklin County, Ind. , 
and by this union three children have been born: 
William D., Minnie E. (deceased August 11, 1878, 
aged two years and ten months) and Edward. Mr. 
Wickerd is a member of the Fayette County Protec- 
tion Society, and Everton Grange. He and bis wife 
are members of the Baptist Church. Our subject is 
an indiistriouB, quiet citizen, highly respected by all 
who know him. 

ABSALOM R WILDRIDGE, farmer and stock- 
dealer, Jackson Township, is a native of Dearborn 



328 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



County, Ind., born December 11, 1845, son of Ralph 
and Eliza (Bougham)Wildridge, who were born in New 
Jersey, the former October 13, 1806, the latter July 
0, 1814. They were married November 20, 1831, 
and reared a family of eight children. Ralph Wild- 
ridge died September 25, 1850. Our subject received 
a common school education. He was united in mar- 
riage, April 28, 1869, with Miss Hattie Roberts, a 
native of Franklin County, Ind., born March 1, 1850, 
and by this union one child, Mary, was born May 2, 
1874. Mr. Wildridge came to this county in 1870) 
and now resides on Section 33, his farm comprising 
seventy-six acres. He is a member of Everton 
Grange, No. 1670, and Fayette County Protection 
Society. He and his wife are adherents of the Meth- 
odist Church. 

RICHARD W. WILLIAMS, farmer, Columbia 
Township, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Octo- 
ber 31, 1815, and is one of the nine children born to 
Thomas and Mary (Newcomer) Williams, natives of 
Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively, and who 
were married in Hamilton County, Ohio, where they 
afterward settled, remaining there until their death. 
Their children were as follows: William W., Rachel 
A., Thomas N., Sanford S., Peter C, Richard W., 
Elizabeth, Mary and Catherine J. Our subject was 
married in Franklin County, Ind., January 24, 1849, 
to Phebe Carter, born in Franklin County, Ind., Octo- 
ber 1, 1821, and daughter of Abraham and Margaret 
(Hitchner) Carter. To this union were born ten 
children: Margaret E., Thomas W., John N., New- 
ton (deceased), Hester A. (deceased), Arthur E., Alice 
A. (deceased), Abraham C, Phebe J. (deceased), and 
Oliver M. After marriage Mr. Williams settled in 
Hamilton County, Ohio, where he remained until 
1850, thence moved to Fayette County, Ind., settling 
in Columbia Township, where he has since resided. 
He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

MARY A. WILLIAMS, widow of the late Jere- 
miah Williams, Orange Township, was born in 
Fayette County, Ind., August 5, 1828, daughter of 
John and Sarah (Logan) Mcllwain, natives of Ire- 
land. John Mcllwain was a son of John Mcllwain, 
Sr., a native of Scotland, where he married Jennie 
Hughston ; thence they emigrated to the north of 
Ireland about the time Cromwell raled England, Ire- 
land and Scotland, settling near Belfast, where they 
remained until 1798, when they immigrated to the 
United States, settling in South Carolina, where they 
remained until their death. Mrs. Mcllwain died 
shortly after their arrival here, and Mr. Mcllwain 
subsequently married Ann Logan. He was the father 
of eight children: James H., Thomas, John, Mary, 
William, Hugh, Samuel, by first wife; and James, by 



last wife. John, the father of our subject, was born 
in 1786, and came with his parents to South Carolina 
in 1798, where ho and Sarah, daughter of Samuel 
and Deborah (Steele) Logan, were united in marriage. 
She was born in 1784. After their marriage they 
first settled near Abbeville, S. C, and in 1814 moved 
to Fayette County, Ind., where he remained until his 
death, which occurred June 25, 1870. His widow died 
June 14, 1872. Their children were John, Thomas, 
William, Jane, Elizabeth, Hugh, Oliver, Jamesi 
Nancy, Sarah and Mary A. Our subject was united 
in marriage, in Fayette County, February 25, 1849, 
with Jeremiah Williams, who was born in this county 
June 21, 1828, son of Elisha and Martha (Baker) 
Williams. To this union were born Leander C. (de- 
ceased), Terrissa L., Emma Z., Martha J., Sarah J., 
John (deceased) and Elisha. After marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Williams settled near Everton, this county, 
but moved in 1861 on the farm where the widow now 
lives, her husband dying May 23, 1875. 

FRANK T. WILLIAMS, general merchandise, 
Harrison Township, was born in Harrison Township, 
Fayette County, March 31, 1852, son of Hon. Charles 
R. Williams, ex-County Auditor, a sketch of whom is 
given among the biographies in the city of Conners- 
ville. He was raised a farmer, and received a good 
common school education. In May, 1876, he pur- 
chased hie present business from John W. Foster, 
and has been very successful in the enterprise. June 
4, 1878, he was married to Miss Florence M. Will- 
iams, who was born May 31, 1858. Mr. Williams, to 
prepare himself for his present business, took a 
thorough course and graduated in Bryant & Stratton's 
Commercial College. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. 

MADISON WILLIAMSON, farmer, Jennings 
Township, was born on the place where he now lives 
in Fayette County, in the year 1836. He is a son of 
Samuel and Elizabeth (Connoway) Williamson, who 
were married January 19, 1832, and had a family of 
thirteen children: Adeline, Elmon, Franklin, Madi- 
son, James, Mary, Daniel, Sarah, Theresa, Nancy, 
Elizabeth, and two that died in infancy. Samuel 
Williamson was born in Ohio July 3, 1807. His 
parents were Moses (born in Virginia September 23, 
1774,) and Jane (Riggs) Williamson (born December 
25, 1778,) who had only one child. The father of 
our subject, Moses Williamson, was a man of good 
executive ability, and held for several years the office 
of Justice of the Peace. During the war of 1812- 
15 he served on the frontier. He died January 5, 
1850. His wife was a good Christian lady, a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. They located here in 
1830. Samuel Williamson came with his parents to 
this township about 1830. He was a progressive 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



329 



man and a respected citizen. He died September 10, 
1855; his widow died November 27, 1884. Our sub- 
ject was twice married; on first occasion, in 1857, to 
Martha, daughter of David Ross, by whom he had 
three children: Samuel, Elsie, David (deceased in 
infancy). He was married, December 22, 1882, to 
his second wife, Sarah, daughter of John and Lydia 
(Behney) Rudy, the latter a daughter of Valentine 
Behney. Mrs. Sarah Williamson was born January 
18, 1851, in North Lebanon Township, Lebanon 
County, Penn. , and was baptized June 23, 1851; she 
came to Indiana in 1871; is a member of the Evan- 
gelical Methodist Church. By this union there is 
no issue. Mr. Williamson owns seventy -five acres of 
land, which is well improved. 

FRANKLIN M. WORSHAM, farmer, Fairview 
Township, was born in Fayette County, Ind., April 
9, 1829, son of Jeremiah and Nancy (Fulliu) Wor- 
sham, who were among the first settlers of this 
county. His father was born in 1786 in Washington 
County, Va. ; thence, in 1811, he moved to Brook- 
ville, Franklin Co., Ind., and the same year en- 
tered land and settled on the banks of Whitewater 
River, two miles south of CQnnersville. At that 
time Indiana was a Territory. There were but few 
families in Connersville, and the Indians who were 
encamped in the river bottoms were very troublesome. 
Mr. Worsham was married, while residing on this 
farm, to Nancy Fullin, a native of Tennessee, born 
in 1795, and who came with her parents to this 
county in 1811. To this union were born William 
W., Elizabeth, Ruth, Malinda, Samuel, Robert, John 
J., George W., Franklin M., Jeremiah, Charles W., 
Joseph T. and Sarah. Mr. Worsham resided on his 
farm on the banks of the Whitewater about ten years, 
then purchased another west oF Connersville, where 
he remained until his death, which occurred October 
20, 1861, his wife having preceded him July 16, 
1859. He owned at the time of his demise over 500 
acres of land. Franklin M., our subject, was married, 
in Rush County, Ind., March 13, 1856, to Mary S., 
daughter of Robert H. and Jemima (Messersmith) 
Newbould. She was born in this county March 5, 
1835. They have a family of nine children: Armilda, 
Samantha A., John T., Robert F., Martha M., Albert 
H. S., Alva P. B., William M. and Daisy E. After 
our subject's marriage he settled on the farm where 
he has since resided. He owns at present about 200 
acres of excellent land. 

JOSEPH T. WORSHAM, farmer, Connersville 
Township, was born in 1835, a native of this county, 
son of Jeremiah and Nancy (Fullin) Worsham, who 
were born and married in Virginia, and moved to 
Franklin County, Ind., in 1811, moving to this county 
soon after. Here the father died in 1861, the mother 



having preceded him in 1859. Jeremiah Worsham 
was among the first settlers of the county, a successful 
and wealthy farmer, owning at one time 354 acres of 
land. Joseph T. Worsham, the subject of this 
sketch, was employed at home on the farm with his 
pareats until he was twenty-five years of age. He 
obtained a practical education in the district schools, 
and made farming his chief occupation through life. 
In 1862 he married Sarah Hartzel, a native of Penn- 
sylvania and daughter of John Hartzel, and two 
children have been born to this union: Edwin T. and 
Oscar. Mr. Worsham is still residing on the old 
homestead purchased in 1861. He took care of his 
parents till their death, thus rewarding them for their 
care of him in his childhood and youth. He does a 
general farming business, and has on his farm one of 
the finest limestone quarries in the State, and this he 
has operated quite extensively. In politics he is a 
Democrat. 

JAMES WORSTER (deceased), late of Jen- 
nings Township, was born December 31, 1782, 
in Pennsylvania, son of Rev. Robert and Mary 
(Gorman) Worster, the former a native of Eng- 
land, the latter of German descent. Rev. Robert 
Worster came to Indiana some time after his son 
James. It is said that he preached the first Method- 
ist sermon delivered west of the Alleghenies. He 
was a forcible preacher, whose labors ended only with 
his life. He also taught the first school in Jennings 
Township. His children, eight in number, were 
Sarah, Daniel, James, Margaret, Hugh, Nellie, Jennie 
and Thomas. He died in 1830, aged one hundred 
and one years; his widow in 1832, aged seventy-five. 
Our subject went with his parents to Bracken County, 
Ky., where he was married, August 8, 1805, to 
Nancy Milner, born in Kentucky September 1, 1789, 
daughter of Amos and Hannah (Rice) Milner, of 
Pennsylvania, who settled in Bracken County, Ky., in 
an early day, and in 1819 moved thence to Fayette 
County, Ind. They were parents of three children: 
Sarah (wife of Elijah Corbin), John and Nancy. 
Amos Milner was one of the heroes of the Revolu- 
tionary war. He died September 1, 1851, aged 
ninety-one years, one month and twenty-two days. 
He and his wife were members of the Methodist 
Church. In 1814 Mr. and Mrs. James Worster, with 
their three children, moved to Indiana Territory, 
selecting a location in what is now Jennings Town- 
ship. (Before settling here Mr. Worster had served 
in the war of 1812-15). They had nine children: 
Hannah, Mary J., Amos M., Robert, John O., Sarah 
E., Lucinda A., Thomas W., Elizabeth M. Mr. 
Worster died September 29, 1849; his widow Septem- 
ber 24, 1876, aged eighty-seven years and twenty-three 
days. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal 



330 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Church. Thomas W. Worster, son of our Bubject, 
was born February 8, 1828. He was married, in 
1851, to Mary A. Blue, who has borne him six chil- 
dren; James A., John O., Charles S., Thomas L. 
(deceased), Mary J. and Grace H. He i.s the owner 
of 485 acres of excellent land. Is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically a Repub- 
lican. Richard R. Nuzum (deceasedj was born in 
Virginia in 1803, and was a son of William and 
Martha (Reece) Nuzum. He came to this township 
in 1S29, and August 4, 1831, he was married to Mary 
J., daughter of James Worster, who bore him one 
child, James W., who enlisled, in 1861, in the three 
months' service. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted in 
the Sixty- ninth I. V. I. for three years, and was 
killed at Richmond, Ky., August 30, 1862. Richard 
R. Nuzum died October 21, 1858. 

THOMAS WRIGHT, Columbia Township, is, 
perhaps, the oldest resident of this county living at 
this date. He was born in Gloucester County, Va., 
October 11, 1793, and is of English and French par- 
entage. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Pointer) 
Wright, were born in England, both dying when 
he was but a child, and he was reared to the 
age of sixteen by an elder brother. He then 
began a sea-faring life, embarking on a vessel 
owned by John Gressett. He continued on the wave 
about thirteen years, being promoted from one posi- 
tion to another till he became Captain of a vessel of 
his own, which same ship was used by the citizens of 
Yorktown on the occasion of welcoming LaFayette 
when on one of his visits to this country. It was also 
honored by the presence of the celebrated Irish poet, 
Thomas Moore, who was one of its jiassengers while 
on his tour to the United States. Mr. Wright was 
married, June 5, 1822, to Catharine W. Stubbs, a 
native of Gloucester County, Va., born July 20, 1805, 
daughter of Francis and Ann (Hall) Stubbs, of 
English and French descent respectively. Her grand- 
father was born in England find married there. Her 
maternal grandmother was named Mildred Du Vail. 
Her parents were married in Gloucester County, Va. 
and reared two children, Mrs. Wright being a daugh- 
ter by her father's second wife (his first wife was a 
Miss Robbins, by whom he had one son). Her father 
died in Virginia before she was born, and her mother 
died in this State in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have 
four children living: Matilda, Laura, Willa A. and 
Julia E. Soon after his marriage Mr. Wright gave 
up the life of a sailor, sold his vessel, and settled 
down to the peaceful pursuit of agriculture in Vir- 
ginia. In 1837 they sold their property there and 
moved to this county, where Mr. Wright purchased 
his present farm. Here he has since resided and 
played his part in the great drama of life. His facul- 



ties were well preserved till recently, but nature has 
run its course, and the vital forces are well-nigh spent. 
Ninety years have sufficed to dim the eye, dull the 
ear and enfeeble the mind; and a few more years 
must end the long eventful race. 

HENRY M. WRIGHT (deceased), formerly of 
Orange Township, and latterly of Glenwood, Rush 
Co., Ind., an old and well -respected pioneer of Fay- 
ette County, was born in Greene County, Penn., 
November 16, 1819. His parents were Justice and 
Elizabeth (Morris) Wright, natives of Greene Coun- 
ty, Penn., where the former was born May 21, 1789, 
and the latter March 9, 1799. Justice was the second 
of four children born to Thomas and Elizabeth Wright, 
who were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they were 
married and where they remained until their death. 
He was married in his native county, March 22, 1810. 
to Rachel Morris, a daughter of George and Margaret 
Morris, and afterward settled in same county, where 
his wife died February 23, 1814. He was again mar- 
ried, in Greene County, May 13, 1816, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Morris, and in 1821 
moved to Fayette County, Ind., settling five miles 
southwest of Connersville, on what is known as Fall 
Creek, where he lived the balance of his days. His 
second wife died October 14, 1827, and on March 20, 
1828, he married Mary, daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth Dailey, and who died June 10, 1847. He died Feb- 
ruary 22, 1873, having had five children — by his first 
wife, Sarah, John and Rachel, and by his second mar- 
riage Ephraim and Henry M. (our subject). Justice 
Wright was a man highly respected by all. He was 
a zealous and devoted member of the Baptist Church, 
and during his life held many offices of trust. He 
was one of the first Justices of the Peace of the county, 
and served about twenty years as Probate Judge. 
Our subject came with his father to this county when 
about two years of age, and here spent the greater 
part of his life. He was married in Mason County, 
111., May 16, 1852, to Lucy A., born August 6, 1831, 
daughter of Lorenzo R. and Jane (Eddy) Hastings. 
Immediately after marriage he returned with his wife 
to this count}% and settled on his father's old home- 
stead until the latter's death; then purchased the 
farm, and there remained until November, 1882, when 
he moved to Glenwood, Rush Co., Ind., where he 
resided up to the day of his death. His first wife 
died December 19, 1856, and he was married, August 
1, 1878, to Sarah J., daughter of William S. and 
Nancy (Martin) Brown, who \yas born at Conners- 
ville, Ind., November 30, 1843. He was the father 
of three children: William J. (deceased), and James 
L. by first wife, and Martin B. by last marriage. Mr. 
Wright had suffered much from childhood with a 
diseased limb, pronounced at first to be white swell- 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



331 



ing, which ultimately necessitated amputation, and 
this was. performed at his own desire in November, 
1884, four experienced surgeons being in attendance, 
but the patient had not sufficient vitality to sur- 
vive the operation, and he sank to rest, after thirteen 
days intense suffering, December 3, 1884 Mr. 
Wright was not a member of any church or any Soci- 
ety, but was withal a true Christian and a strong 
temperance man. In politics he was a Republican. 
His remains are interred in the cemetery at Connera- 
ville, Fayette Co., Ind. 



JAMES L. WRIGHT, farmer, Connersville Town- 
ship, son of Henry M. and Lucy A. (Hastings) 
Wright, of Glenwood, Ind., was born in Fayette 
County, Ind., December 1, 1856, and was here mar- 
ried, February 28, 1883, to Elizabeth, daughter of 
Washington and Elizabeth (Mount) Michener, who 
was also born in this county. May 6, 1864. After 
his marriage he settled on the farm where he now 
lives and has since resided. He is an affable young 
gentleman of energy, whose future seems promising. 










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